Well. You all are just plain useless. No one helped me out with my “Email Vortex” question yesterday. Granted, I appreciate both your smart ass answers AND your acknowledgement of ignorance, but neither of those things actually SOLVED the mystery. At least Katherine and Sweety stopped to acknowledged the wonder that is Adam Levine, but the rest of you? No Help Whatsoever.

BUT. I have found something that made me smile today even with the conundrum you all left me in yesterday. I am here to share this with you.

I use this software to make maps. It has this “Pan Tool” on it so that I can pan across to other areas of my map. The tool is in the shape of an open hand. I just realized TODAY that when I actually click and pan with that tool? The hand actually CLOSES a little bit as I’m moving the map across my screen. It actually gives the illusion of the little tiny hand picking up the map and moving it for me. Isn’t that so cool? I mean - the developers didn’t have to make it close - but they did. And just for simple minded map makers like myself, looking for a little bit of excitement in their simple little world.

And I found it. And I’m excited.

And I also realized, simultaneously, that I am a big huge geek who needs to get a life.

Hmph.

Edited to add: Yippee! Kal commented this morning and used their GIANT brain with their AMAZINGLY TECHNICAL vocabulary and explained what would happened if we tried the “Email Vortex” experiment.

This happened once with the ISP I worked for, it goes boing-boing-boing for a very long time, then the POP server go ack-gack-ptui and the administrators call the customer and go stopit-stopit-stopit.

Then they hang up the phone and mutter “asshole”.

Least, that’s what we did. (Did you enjoy my terribly technical descriptions? There just isn’t enough onomatopeia in technical support these days. =0)

Thanks!

Casey
If you could go to the Olympics in any event which one would it be? Gymnastics. I would love to be strong AND graceful. Actually? I’d even just take one of those qualities.

What is the thing you most love about yourself? I am quick to
laugh - - which tends to make everything and everyone ten times more fun.

KtZeAyns
What is your favorite/most interesting scar and how did you get it? I dont have any real scars. And the few tiny ones I have? Have zero interesting stories. HOWEVER - LilZoot has TWO and they both have good stories - - so I’m going to post an entry just about those. Thanks for the idea!!!

Janet
Aragorn or Legolas? Legolas
Merry or Pippin? Merry. No, Pippin. No, Merry. Hmmm.
Frodo or Sam? Sam
Harry or Ron? Ron
Snape or Lupin? Sirius. (hee)
Peeves or Sir Nick? Sir Nick

And what is your favorite Krispy Kreme donut flavor? Original Glazed. All the time. Although I do want to try the Key Lime Pie one…Original Glazed are my faves.

Snowball
Whose idea was it to cut off all internet access for even work-related purposes? Suposedly its only until we can pinpoint the “problem” with an outside “bot” pinging our server a bajillion times a second.
Can we have them shot? Lets save the shooting for whatever is doing the pinging..then? Have at it.
And last: Have you brought up the driving thing with LilZ’s paternalunit? He needs to make other arrangments. He just does. I’ve decided to pose it as a request to come into town when LilZoot has weekend obligations (Soccer, bday parties, fairs, etc) so that LilZoot wont start to dread his weekends with his Dad b/c of all he misses back home. This will also force the EX-ZOOT to cope with being somewhere at the same time with MrZoot which he can’t do yet. Even though MrZoot extended the olive branch to him over a year ago BEFORE we even got married. I’ll let you know how all of that goes.

Lauren
Do you have a special nickname for MrZ or lilZ? I call them both “Sweety” and “Baby” which causes problems b/c they both answer to both. And now? We have this dog, “Sweetie” which has complicated ALL of our lives b/c MrZ also calls ME “Sweety”. Yeah - we’re in the middle of a nickname crisis.
If you were on BB what would you do make sure you won? Nakomis.
Favorite nail polish color? All of the Sally Hansen Chrome polishes!

Kim
This isn’t really a fun question to answer… more of a
technical/functional one… but, do they get that this new firewall is
making even WORK impossible? Maybe if they knew, they’d lift the security a teeny bit… and you’d get access to the web again? (Thus being able to sneak in a blog or two during the day?) Hopefully, this is all temporary. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

Pam
is your hair still red? Its faded quite a bit. My hair does NOT hold red dye well at all. However, so many people were shocked that my hair isnt naturally red, it inspired me to hold off any more dyes to see if I can find what color my hair is naturally. I think its “dirty blonde”. Also - you are NOT supposed to dye your hair if your preggars, and hopefully I will be soon.

Sandra
What is your favorite color? RED!!
What time is it by you? 1:50pm
uh oh What do you think made that scary noise downstairs where my
children are suposed to be playing quietly???? I dont know, but I hear those noises all the time in my place. I swear stairs amplify noises TEN FOLD.

Bonnie
When you’re stuck at the office working towards a deadline, what kinds of things would really tick you off and nearly send you over the deep end? BAD DATA. See? I use data to make these maps. Data that someone ELSE gives me. And I’ve been finding errors in this stuff all week and its STRESSING ME OUT.

girlwonder
001. you can only listen to one album the rest of your life (not a boxed set or double disc) what would it be? Indigo Girls Shaming of the Sun
002. if you had to be perpetually stuck at any age, how old would yoube? 28.
003. name the single most important event that changed your life?Getting preggars with LilZoot at age 18. He has saved my life in more ways than one.
004. you have to give up sex or your favorite food (we’re talking SERIOUS favorite here) - which one goes?I’m going to say the food b/c I need the sex to make the babies. But I love my Krispy Kremes. I really do. If I already had a family? That would be a tough call. hehehe.

Rick
You’re leaving on your first two week vacation in five years. You’re driving 5 states away. You’ve driven 163 miles since your early morning start. You just remembered that you left a dozen *FRESH* (The red light was ‘on’ when you picked them up…mmmmmmmmm)Krispy Kreme (they are still warm!) donuts, on the kitchen counter that you’re not going to see for the next two weeks and there are no Krispy Kreme stores where you’re going. So are you going back to get them, or are you just going to go on vacation and come back to dead donuts? I’ll come back to the dead donuts b/c I would NEVER vacation ANYWHERE that did NOT have Krispy Kremes. Wouldnt happen. Hehe.

alektra
Are you a cartographer? Do you realize you have my mom and grandfather’s ideal job? Right now? I am on a contract where all I’m doing is making maps, but other contracts have required other tasks. Its a cool job to talk about to anyone who “Gets” maps…but most people get bored by it.
How do you feel being a young mother changed you? In what ways do you think you’ve matured in a better fashion because of how your life has played out thus far? Being a young Mom saved my life. That is really the only way to explain it. I have had some intense ups and downs in my life - - but today? I love who I am all of those challenges have made me this person who I’m proud of.

Stacy
Are you sick yet of Rupert on all the Survivor commercials? I scream at the TV everytime I see him on it. Blah.
Who’s the better kisser Drew or Diane? The fish in the tank by the door.
Is Collin going to jail? I wish he would have. Jerkhole.
Do I spend too much time watching reality TV? If you do? So do I.

Nicole
What dead person in history would you like to have lunch with and
why? Albert Einstein, because he was INSANE.
What was the worst fashion craze(clothing, toys, cars, hair…)? Wearing big, bright, poofy socks OVER your jeans.

Rbelle
Question: Why is that we change the names of other countries to Englishwords? Why don’t we call Germany Deutschland, cologne Koln, etc. No clue. Probably has something to do with something though. And thats my educated opinion.
Why do the female gymnasts spray glitter in their hair? Because it makes them look younger. And we all know that they look too old as it is.
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I was talking to another “Soccer Mom” at practice last night. I was telling her about LilZoot having a crush on this girl and the Mom was SHOCKED that he’s “into” girls already. She said her son and his friends dont want ANYTHING to do with girls yet. I thought that odd.

LilZoot has ALWAYS been into girls. He’s had crushes every year. He even had a girlfriend who called him when he was in 2nd grade. He’s not had a kiss yet, but he definitely wouldnt turn down the chance! Last year? He tried to come up with a way to give his crush a kiss, but couldnt figure out a good way to do it without getting caught. Granted, I’m not quite sure how to handle those conversations - but I consider it a good sign he’s even HAVING them with me.

But this year? I believe this crush is a “serious” one. Here is a list of reasons I think we may be entering uncharted territory in terms of “Crush Severity”.

1)He started writing smaller, just like her.
2)He asked me to cut the crust off his sandwiches, just like she does
3)He says things like “We have SOOOO much in common!” (like writing small and crust-free sandwiches…)
4)He asked me to offer to driver her to Skate Night (I don’t know this girl OR her family)
5)He picks her EVERY DAY for the quiet mouse game at school. Evidently she picks him too (She’d better…)
6)He talks about her non-stop. NON-STOP.
7)We’ve given her a nickname (SuzyQ) so we can talk about her in public and not be overheard and “outed.”
8)We’re already discussing his birthday in JANUARY because he wants to invite her to his party.
9)He’s always looking for her at the playground (the place that he first discovered his love for her)
10)He’s FIXING HIS HAIR.

So. Eventhough we’ve had crushes every year? And even girlfriends sometimes? I believe this year is going to be a bit different.

And I’m scared.

Hold me.

I say that this is a FABULOUS idea.

…In the midst of a healthier school-food movement and childhood obesity epidemic, Krispy Kreme is rewarding students with a doughnut for every A on their report cards — up to a half-dozen per grading period.

Critics believe the doughnut company’s giveaway is full of nutritional holes…

If children today got as much excercise as they SHOULD be (put DOWN the gameboy and go OUTSIDE!) then getting rewarded with Krispy Kreme donuts for good grades would not be a big health concern. They are KIDS for chrissakes. I’m not suggesting all donuts all day (well, not for your kids anyway - for ME? Maybe). But its SIX donuts (at the most) every NINE WEEKS. Cut out a few happy meals and play a game of kickball and the kid will be FINE. This reward program is NOT going to cause a healthy kid to have weight problems.

But their X-box or Gamecube might. Give the kids a break and let them have their donuts. They earned it.

But if you DONT want them to have the donuts? You know where to send them.

Thanks MrZ for sending me this article. I have ZERO internet capabilities today. I’m stepping off my soapbox now.

Okay. I’m getting to these SLOWLY but SURELY. It’s difficult when I can’t get to my own blog to read the questions. But - I’m smart and emailed a few of them to my work account. Also? I’m having fun with these…

Samantha:
1. What kind/brand digital camera should I ask for as my bday gift? I love my Canon A80 with all of my heart. My fuji before was nice too, but I love my Canon.
2. What music do you listen to when its just you, alone in the car? Indigo Girls. My favorite? Shaming of the Sun. And I sing. LOUDLY. and POORLY.
3. How did you and MrZ meet? We were in the same geography program in college. He had sexy arms (thats my thing), and I was newly single. We’d talk shop over Dos Equis and Bean Dip on Wednesday nights after work (LilZoot spent Wednesday nights with his Dad when we lived in the same town). The rest? Is history….

DeAnn:
…are you a cartographer…? I’m a GIS Analyst, to be specific, which means I make maps (cartography) AND analyze the geographic data as well. Its a little bit of everything. All of it boring to anyone not in my field. And in reality? Probably even a bit boring to people who ARE in my field.

Oliquig:
1. Who is the celebrity you would never sleep with, even if it meant the end of the world? Russel Crowe. Ew, I loathe him about as much as I love anything else. I won’t even watch his movies. Nor will I listen to his music, but - thats not too difficult since it sucks ass.
2. What is your favorite time of day? Mornings. Before everyone else gets up.
3. When you do get a house, how many more dogs do you think you’ll end up with? OH god. Who the hell knows. 15-20 would be a good guess!

Tonya:
1. Do you think Paul Hamm should give up his gold in the all-around gymnastics event? No. Although I dont really know the WHOLE story because I kinda skimmed over it all…to be honest. But I stick by “No.”
2. If you could punch one celebrity for no reason, who would it be. Russel Crowe. And I do have a reason. He bothers me. A LOT.

Heather:
1. Which HP boy do you think is the cutuest? Rupert Grint, of course! He’s adorable!!!!
2. If you had a choice, would you save the Krispy Kreme or the Target. You can only save one of the corporations and they’d never, ever be ablet o come back. I’m sorry - I will now be banning you for all eternity from my blog for even JOKING about such a DREADFUL possibility. How dare you utter those horrible words! I shall NOT answer that question nor will I ever think of it again. BE GONE! I could not live in a world with ONLY one or the other. If I did? I would officially be in HELL.
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