Of Course I Hear Voices: I Own Parrots

My life on the weekends Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed

Plinky asked me to craft an excuse. I think this is an interesting take. It isn't geared to anyone...it is just my usual default excuse with a twist What is there to explain? Whether you are my friend, boyfriend or acquaintance, I'm an upfront person. You know exactly what you were getting into with me. I work full time, run a business and then work another part time job. What you see is what you get. I will be honest with you as long as you are honest with me. Really my eyes tell you exactly what I am thinking every time. Really, it isn't that hard to understand. If I ignore you or don't text you back there are four reasons: 1) I'm busy. There are days I am going non-stop from 6 am-3am. 2) You broke one of the rules. Again, I am very straight forward and clear about my boundaries. Once you have hurt me or betrayed my trust it is hard to win it back. 3) Maybe I just need some down time...yeah it occasionally happens 4) I'm sleeping...and seriously if you are ...

I've always thought that each person has a "life soundtrack." We have songs that identify us, we relate to, and are a true back drop to our lives. Some songs are constant anthems. Other songs come and go as we transition through the stages of our life. I have my constant Benchmark Songs: Nine Days—Absolutely Guster -- Either Way Jessica Andrews – Who I Am Both songs are ones I will always be happy to put on repeat until the birds can sing along. These songs are me at the core. No matter what is going on with me, these are real indicators of my true self. Then there are the other songs. These are the ones that can change daily, weekly, by the minute…you get the picture. They are more reflective of the things that come and go. They are the pain, love, joy, loss, laughter, and all your other emotions. They are the song...

A little Earth Day Humor: Okay, back when I was at Eastern Michigan University, I began to think that perhaps the squirrels had a sinister plot to take over the campus. These little menaces had to be up to something. These guys didn't move for humans. You moved for them. They would hide under garbage cans and attack your feet as you passed by. There was one little guy that lived in the courtyard of my building. I didn't sleep very well at night, so I would try to catch up on sleep during the day. He would wait until I was just about to fall asleep, and then he would run back and forth along the window sill making all kinds of noise. I figure if they could organize a campaign of terror on a college campus, running the world should be well within their reach. Beware of the squirrels...

Well this is a tough one. I would probably spend most of it new clothes. I would mostly buy work clothes for my full time job. I need to update my look at work at bit, and this would give me that opportunity. I would probably also pick up a few items just for fun. Maybe a new pair of jeans and some fun shirts. I'm not overly trendy, but I like having clothes that look good and make me feel like a normal person. Sometimes I forget what that is like. I so rarely get treated like a girl I get bogged down by how much that feeling hurts. Dressing cute helps me overcome some of that. If there was anything left, I would buy Beaker, Batty and Abby a bigger cage. Plus I'd through in some new toys for good measure for all the fids.

Dogs and cats do not talk back. Birds do. Don't be fooled, that parakeet *will* steal that carrot off your plate Birds are like kids. As soon as you get on your phone, it is time to be loud and obnoxious Not only can they spit their food at you when they are mad or want attention, they also have amazing aim. While your cockatiel may be three times bigger than your parakeet, the cockatiel will rarely stand up for itself. Yes, parakeets are little bullies that oppress bigger parrots. Even at 19 years old, cockatiels can still become needy and scream like a little girl when you leave the room. Don't buy uber expensive toys. All toys will eventually be destroyed…it is only a matter of time. Each of your birds will have a different personality…enjoy the diversity Addendum to #9: Birds also have their own personal music tastes. I am lucky all 6 of mine like Guster and The Cure…and for some reason my singing. Yeah…television shows and movies are the same. We cannot watch JAWS or and ...

I'm not one of those elitist travel writers. I am not going to tell you that the touristy things are inherently bad. However, I am a huge fan of getting off the beaten track. I love enjoying some of the things the locals treasure. In each of my favorite cities, I have a list of places I have to go. Here are my must sees for San Francisco: Borderlands Bookstore: Mission Delores and my obsession with the movie Vertigo brought me to the Mission. Now that was fabulous…it really was. Still, it this little gem that brings me back every time. It is a great store with the best Sci-fi, horror, fantasy, etc. selection. I love the atmosphere and the staff is awesome. Plus, they have Ripley Here is more about Ripley from the store website. Ripley is a sphinx cat…yeah she's hairless. Admittedly, she scared me a bit the first time I went into the store. I didn't see her until I was at the checkout…and then she moved. The next time I was there, she curled up in my lap and I had to ha...

More photo editing fun....

That is Abby on the food dish. She's lost a few grams, but we are still in process.

And who said lunch time was boring?

Some Editing Fun...

I love a good party. However, there are some deal breakers. I can handle bad music, movies and other minor indiscretions. There are things that remind me of that scene in "Better Off Dead" where Lane is trying to get rid of the stalker paperboy. I'll come up with just about anything to get out of there. They run out of your beverage of choice..early This one is pretty obvious... The high school drama starts I'm not sure why adults must revert back to being sixteen again. It wasn't flattering when we were teenagers. It certainly isn't attractive now. When the drama hits it usually a good idea to duck out. If you can't leave, try to stay clear of the drama as much as possible. If you eventually find yourself being put in to the drama, pretend to sleep or just ignore it. They break out the board games I know many fair minded people love games, but I hate them. Actually, I was bored the other night and one girl's solution was to ask our h...

With season finales upon us, we venture into the summer television season. The summer season used to be a virtual wasteland of reruns, made for TV movies and other not so fun moments. Admittedly, network television doesn't do much better in this area now. Although, my Scrubs addiction we sparked by watching reruns over the summer, it isn't the same. Yes some network channels try new programming. However, in most cases I'm just not interested. Cable programming is usually what gets attention from my DVR. What shows get your attention in the off season? What shows tend to get your attention? Will you watch television at all? In a time where I know I would rather enjoy being outside and being with my friends, I know I am pretty selective. Even if it is something I record and "watch" while I work, I want to be sure it is worth my time.   This off season I will be recording: My Boys: Because I am constantly having moments where I am relating to PJ….like the better par...

If wanted to enjoy the perfect spring day can only think of a few places I would want to be. Even with my allergies I would give anything a for few hours in my favorite places. One of these places is Huntington Park in San Francisco. I love Huntington Park. There is just something about a few hours here. It is a beautiful little park in the heart of the city. A huge mansion once stood on the spot, it was destroyed in the Earthquake and Fire. The land was given to the city, and it has been a park ever since. I love it because it is such a peaceful place. The park is lined with beautiful trees and flowers. It has fabulous fountains and breathtaking views of the city. The park is surrounded by great buildings like the Flood Mansion, Grace Cathedral, and the Fairmount Hotel. You can watch the California Cable Car line roll by. Even when the fog rolls in it is probably one of my favorite places to be.

I'm not proud to admit it, but I have become one of those to do list people. I pack by lists. I plan my day by lists. Most days my lists are constantly growing and changing, so flexibility does still exist. I just like being able to see what lies ahead. When a new development comes into play, my list adapts to it. I get that some people just don't get it, but it is what works best for me. My mind is constantly going. I'm not claiming to be ADD or anything like that. Some of it is the learned behavior from the fast paced editing on Sesame Street and MTV. Another issue is my fiction writing. My mind is always darting off to explore an idea. My mind keeps jumping from thought to thought in an unorganized manner. I would never get anything done at that rate. I do have a decent memory, but having it even just typed helps.   Lists not only keep me focused, they also give me a sense of accomplishment. As I take items off the list, I have a much better standing of where I stand. I...

Any show that promotes caffeine addiction is cool with me Abby is my hero for many reasons One of those reasons: It is refreshing to see a positive Goth character I've been a Mark Harmon fan ever since I saw the movie "Summer School" Tony and Ziva may be predictable, but it is somewhat entertaining It isn't reality TV Palmer's geeky awkwardness is endearing How can you not like Ducky??? Hello, we was on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E" I'm finally to the point where can somewhat tolerate McGee. Yeah, I'm not a fan. Really, when Kate died at the end of season 2 I had hoped (before it aired) he would be the "one of their own" that they lost. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against the actor who plays him, but I'm not sure what they are trying to do with him. It is the only forensic/crime show where playing trance/house/metal songs during the lab scenes actually makes sense.

A few years ago I flew an ATA/Southwest codeshare flight from San Francisco to Indianapolis. I had a early flight out of SFO, a four and a half hour layover in Chicago (Midway) and then I flew the last leg of my trip on Southwest. When I arrived in Indy, I made my way down to the baggage carousel. I watched bag after bag roll by, but none of them were mine. I was not happy. If my connections would have been close I would have been much more understanding, but really in four and a half hours my bags couldn't make it on the plane? Seriously? I was tired, cranky and now seeing red. I calmed myself down and made my way to the baggage office. I took a deep breath before stepping up to the counter. Yelling at this poor girl was not going to make the situation better. I told her my luggage didn't make my flight. The very nice girl wrote up my report, asked me some questions, and gave me a number to call along with a list of the other Chicago flights for that night and tomorrow morning...

Every television season we wait for our old favorites to return. We look forward to finding new shows we love, and then there are people like me that enjoy finding and DVRing my old cancelled but still loved shows. I know people will think I am strange for liking them the first time around…let alone taking the time to record and watch them again. I just can't help myself! My DVR had totally enabled me to capture and enjoy these shows as much as I want. This could be dangerous! Right now, I could sit down and watch recorded episodes of: Poltergeist the Legacy: This has a few things going for it. 1) It takes place in San Francisco aka my favorite city. 2) For some reason I really like how it is shot. 3) I'm a sucker for the mystery/thriller series. Kindred: The Embraced: I loved this show. I've been lucky enough to catch most of the episodes from its one season on Chiller and Scifi. I know that the death of the guy who played Julian was what ended this show, but it I still m...

I have been lucky enough to go on many great vacations. I have been all over the world, and I look forward enjoying many more wonderful trips. However, my favorite has to be my Halloween trip to San Francisco. If you like Halloween, you must spend at least one in San Francisco. This city does Halloween properly. I know not *everyone* gets into it, but enough of the people do to make it fun. I arrived on Halloween after getting being at the airport at 5:00 a.m. eastern time. I dropped my belongings off at the Adante Hotel (where I always stay), and made my way down to the Pinecrest Diner. It is this little hole in the wall diner with a bathroom in the basement that on some days can rival the one in the movie Trainspotting on the fringe of Union Square. It is not much to look at, but the food is great. It is the place where I had my first meal on my first trip to San Francisco (on recommendation of a staffer at Adelaide Hostel). It is a tradition. I headed back to hotel and put on my...

It only comes once a year: My Business Travel I once had dreams of a job where I would get to travel all the time. That didn’t happen, but I do get to go to a conference once a year. I know it is lame, but I really look forward to it. First, it gives me the opportunity to write hotel and reviews. I do travel through out the year, but the opportunity to bulk up the travel blog is nice. I tend to be the budget minded traveler. That means I stay at a lot of hostels, boutique and non chain hotels. If I do stay at one of the big chains, it is usually because I scored a great deal. With this trip it isn’t about the budget, I can just focus on the hotel. The next obvious perk is the restaurant reviews. Again, my focus is usually great food for cheap prices. I have a little more freedom on this business trip. I like to find fun and unusual places to add to my review arsenal. Many business travelers are known for blogging about airports and flights, but I am driving to t...