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SubscriptionsSites I Read
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| If Xanga doesn't raise $60K by July 15 it will close. Need to figure out how to download and save this blog and the photos on it, as I think the chances of their scraping up that much moolah is minimal at best. | | |
| This afternoon I made a run to Goody Goody, and while searching for a value-priced vodka, stumbled across these new flavor offerings: 
Glazed Donut vodka? That sounds seriously revolting. Can't even imagine what one would mix it with. 
Perhaps this is intended to be the libation of choice when watching a movie? 
Were Don still alive, I swear I'd be tempted to buy this Jalapeno-flavored vodka, except he'd have looked at me - justly - as if I'd lost my mind. And the Salted Caramel vodka next to it isn't much of an improvement. What's wrong with a splash of lime juice and some Sprite, eh? Getting so it's hard to locate ordinary, unadulterated vodka amidst the plethora of flavored stuff. The world is going to the dogs, no doubt about it. Glazed Donut vodka? May it never be! | | |
| Had already been a smidge anxious about the situation in NY, Boston, NJ, and other areas left without power by the Frankenstorm, as doubtless all their voting apparati are electric. Now I read this at CNN.com: But this election is close — at least that's what the polls seem to indicate. And a close election means that the winner may not be clear for hours, maybe even days…maybe even weeks. Why? Because each state has its own, sometimes quirky, state laws that dictate how votes are counted and when recounts are triggered. Take the critical battleground state of Ohio for instance. In that state, people can vote absentee or in person. But if you request an absentee ballot and still show up on election day at your polling station, you get what's known as a 'provisional ballot.' Now, analysts may call results earlier if the margin between the winner and the loser in that state is greater than the number of provisional ballots cast. But if it's not … and there is a very narrow margin of difference, we will all have to wait for the provisional ballots to be counted. And according to Ohio law, that counting cannot commence before November 17. But that's not the only potential cause of delay. If the margin is narrow in several other states, automatic recounts are triggered — virtually guaranteeing a delay in the resolution of the race. And in other states, either side can demand a recount through the courts, or even pay for one. I could just scream. So much for stocking up on chips and dips and watching the election returns. OTOH, it could be a windfall for the snack industry as the election counting goes on...and on...and on.... | | |
| Kirstin's block in Keller has a Halloween party each year, with families taking turns hosting it. Bethany - Kirstin's eldest - had expressed a strong desire to host the party and talked about all the keen ideas she had for it. Kirstin, being up to her ears in activities (as when is she not?) demurred at first, but I encouraged her to go ahead and let Bethany have it. I trust this sin, or at least significant lack of judgment, was covered by the blood of Christ for the burden of the party fell on Kirstin, with Bethany fretting about her costume until after the party was under way. I've apologized to Kirstin a few times, but am adding this public one to the mix. As I pointed out, however, this should take care of their family's obligation for several years. Tell you what was annoying as all get out, and that was after Kirstin called Little Caesar's to place her order for pizzas and was told it'd be about 15 minutes, I went to get them and what with munching chips and queso and guacamole and then rush-hour traffic on Alta Vista, it was a good while before I made it to the pizza place. Once there it was to discover it was packed full of people who were waiting for their orders, including one woman who had called hers in the day before! Apparently they weren't actually processing orders until someone showed up to pay for it. Ordering several pizzas for Halloween parties appears to be The Thing To Do in Keller, based upon the stacks of pizza boxes walking out the door at regular intervals. While standing and waiting, I would hear one employee tell a new customer it'd be twenty minutes, while another employee would tell someone else it was going to be close to an hour. Sheesh! However, all is well and neighbors were enthusiastically chowing down on pizza after I arrived with them, even with the magnificent bounty provided by various families. Yum! Plus, I brought two pizzas home for the guys, who were very pleased to see them. Pizza never, ever goes to waste around here. Here is Kirstin's sister-in-law, Jennifer, with Bethany, who was dressed as "Thing 2": 
A gaggle of neighborhood kids - including darling Brielle in the pink - posing for a photo op: 
Matt with his father (before the majority of goodies arrived) and Bryson, who was a "Cool Ghoul," according to the description on his costume's package: 
Bethany with some of the neighbors, including a guest sporting a fairy costume (I fear that, being the decorative-deficient person I am, I settled for black pants, an orange t-shirt, and black-and-orange bat earrings): 
Matt's father took Brielle on a sight-seeing tour of the neighbor's blow-up decorations: 
It was a lovely evening! One thing I enjoy about Kirstin's area is how many trick-or-treaters I saw as I drove home. Our solitary bag of miniature Snickers is sitting here unmolested, but they'd be long gone if I lived in Keller. | | |
| Not precisely the most imaginative name, but it does give you some idea of what market it's aiming for. ;^) Magazines are mostly vehicles for advertising (as are newspapers and virtually all news media, much as we dislike to acknowledge it), but after a little bit I noticed a startling similarity regarding many of the ads: they're for charitable events. Expensive charitable events. Here's "Wine, Women & Shoes" which is designed for "benefitting [sic] communities in schools." The misspelling rather amuses me, under the circumstances. Anyway, the reader is urged to "Be there. Be fabulous!" A single ticket is $125. For that I will be allowed to sip fine wines, shop the latest shoes and accessories, savor delectable bites, and mingle with the Sole Men. Hmmm....I pay $125 to essentially go shoe-shopping at the T&P Railroad Station? I don't think so. Pass. Okay, how about the "Let's Chat: Women Who Care, Share" event, benefiting the YWCA? Table sponsorships begin at $1,000. No? Perhaps the 20th Annual Cowtown Ball...."Boots and Bling"....featuring country singer Mark Chesnutt is more to your taste, and a mere $250 per ticket (tables available for $2,000). I can tell you are a reader of rare discrimination, demanded the unique. Then how about the Fort Worth Club/Outdoor Sports Club's Wild Game Dinner, benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth? As the add enticingly enquires, "Are you game for the Camo Chic event of the year?" Which is itself a trifle unnerving, as it hints there are likely to be more Camo Chic events than this one. The cost of reservations was not included this time, which does make one wonder. Here's one that might be fun, and not outrageously expensive: it's the inaugural "A Wish With Wings" Kitchens Tour: the finest chefs, the finest homes (odd they haven't called me yet). Individual tickets are merely $25. That's doable. The Panther Club has planned a Fiesta in Paradise, benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Worth, being held at Joe T. Garcia's, and single "parrot head" tickets are $100. Tell you what, providing the venue and menu for such gala events is clearly a trend for the aforementioned Joe T's, as it is also the site of the Peppers & Pinatas 5th Annual Dinner Party, to help support fire fighters, police, paramedics, and veterans. Single tickets are $100. One of the most well-known homeless missions, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, is presenting A Very Special Dinner called "The Master's Plan" at Ridglea Country Club. Ticket information is available by calling a number or emailing an address, Interspersed throughout are some charitable golf tournaments, naturally, but you get the gist by now. Where on earth is everyone getting all this money, is what I want to know. Aren't these supposed to be tricky times for the economy? Who are all these people who can gaily throw a hundred smackers at something, getting a Mexican dinner in return? It's really quite frustrating, as it makes me think everyone else Out There in Fort Worth Land is frolicking at gala events this fall, and then there's me...staying home and watching "Diners, Drive-ins, and Drives" and drooling over restaurants at which I'll doubtless never dine. Bring on the Sonic Chili cheeseburger with a side of onion rings!  | | |
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