I'll Take One in Each Color! :-)

Ok, do you guys remember the shirt I got for my birthday? Well, they have it in another color & I love it! I have to go get it! ;-) I love these shirts. They flow like my spirit & feel so great on! ;-) Is this a pisces for you or what? HA! Isn't it amazing how it takes very little to perk you up. HA! Now if I can manage to feel well enough to get it. Maybe I'll have to order it online. So what do you think of the color?

Chicago: Min. Wage $10 + $3

One of my brothers is actually at the Cubs game. I'd actually be jealous but it is 92 degrees with 85% humidity...ok perhaps a bit cooler by the lake...but in a huge crowd??? I'm kinda glad I'm watching the game from my lovely air conditioned living room & easy access to all my needs! :-)

This was a interesting piece in yesterday's NY Times on Chicago trying to raise the minimum wage for big stores like WalMart to $10 an hour plus a $3 an hour extra benefit. Wow! They have more than enough City Council members signing it already to pass it. It would go into effect next month.

They are saying it is an attempt to preserve the middle class. I'm not too sure how effective this will be. I mean why aren't they thinking (I know, I know!) that if they have to do this increase in pay someone else is going to pay? Ok, so now these people may be able to pay for gas (ugh!) etc but then will our prices go up so they the rest of us get hurt. It is all a game! Ugh!

Don't get me wrong, we are negotiating now & I'm all for a good raise myself but it just seems like as soon as you do get a raise then gas or groceries or something else goes up & eats that raise away. Then you get another raise to cover what has gone beyond the last raise & it starts all over again.

I'm not being ungrateful. I know there are many earning less than me or have no jobs & would love to be in my position, but it also just makes one really wonder how much an advantage these council members are really going to achieve.

And, as one person stated in the article, how can you designate a janitor at Wal Mart in Chicago should get so much more than at a bank. Well, that does happen from company to company & different locations in a state or state to state. I'm also not for a set pay for every occupation but...I mean all teachers get different amounts too. Am I just more confused now...YEP! HA! I just think this is not going to help as much as they think. What do you think?! :-)

QVC Delivers!

Well, yesterday the UPS guy rang my door. I was just thinking if the day before's ring, that I did not respond to, was UPS & the door bell rang...freaky! Well, he rang 3 times today and it was enough time to grab my robe & head to the door. I think he'll ring longer...ha...I came in my short cotton black robe. He smiled! HA! Oh boy! I don't get it...not like I had even taken a shower yet so give me a break!

Well, my QVC order came in (past posting) with the Dr. Dyer book & CDs...YA! I started to read it last night & it is pretty good so far. Only at about page 30 but we'll see. The major emphasis right now is what you say to yourself you will attract. Makes perfect sense...Power of Positive Thinking idea. What does your inner voice say to yourself?

Yes, as you can see I did end up ordering the Apple Chips! HA! You get 8 cans. Well, they just had Fuji Apples, no preservatives etc. The using them on salads really got me! :-) I like putting grapes & almonds etc on my salads. Not bad to use instead of potato chips etc also so...we'll see...I haven't tried them yet but I'll let you know when I do. My favorite apples are Braeburns, though they haven't been tasting as good lately. They are not as red either. Hopefully soon they will be for the summer. They use to be so crisp & crunchy.

Audio: Polar Bears

My sister has gotten me into Polar Bears a bit. Well, I like Penguins so they are usually in the area at the zoo and Bears in general (that is within a safe distance or behind a fence (Ha!) so Polar Bears get included. The NY Times has this audio story I thought some of you may be interested in hearing. It has pictures with it but not video. I do hope the people who did "March of the Penguins" (Yes, I loved it!) do other animals as well! I think it will really help for kids and older adults to appreciate & protect them more.

Just Call me Qui-Gon Jinn!

Ok, I got this from John's posting & thought I'd try it out! Ha!

Look at my top 3! That is just too funny! Well think of the title of my journal! HA!

It is so funny that they always tell you to focus more on the "here & now" and this says I do it too much! HA! Well I am a child of the '60s so what do you want! :-)

Your results:
You are Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon Jinn -------- 79%
Obi-Wan Kenobi---- 70%
Yoda---------------- 67%
Princess Leia--------- 64%
R2-D2--------------- 64%
Padme--------------- 63%
Luke Skywalker----- 61%
Chewbacca---------- 60%
C-3PO--------------- 59%
An Ewok------------- 58%

Overall, you're a pretty well balanced person.
But maybe you focus a little too
much on the here and now.
Think about the future before its too late.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)
Click here to take the Star Wars Personality Test

Want some Stewed Monkey Heads?

Well I don't think I ever told you, but I LOVE Calvin & Hobbes. (Click the pix or the link to see the full scene.) Does that explain anything about me? I wonder if there is a personality test which explains who you are based on what comics you like? HA! There should be. Maybe I should create one & make some extra spending money? HA!

Now this one is AWESOME! It is sooo true! Make food fun for kids & they will love it! :-) Make it a game that they really learn math, like adding how many they eat or subtracting from what they have or if we add 2 of yours to daddy's how many does he have now? Etc! Everything can be a learning experience if we take the time with them. That is what I do with my nieces! :-) Make the food into a pictures etc. Kids are just soooo much fun aren't they! Dang, now I miss my nieces! Can you imagine your kid saying, "Mom, can I go to Calvin's for dinner because they are having Monkey Heads!" HA! How about a kids restaurant where the menu has things like this...hmmm I wonder if you would still have to have a gender specific pages of menu or at least some options right. Have to ask the kids. Ok, who wants to start this restaurant with me? :-)

My favorite are Calvin's Snowmen! HA! They are just so hysterical! I have about 5 or so of the books. They are a sure fire way to get me laughing....where are those books...I need that right now, although sometimes it hurts to laugh lately with my pain....and I can't stand shallow laughs!

I love that last panel! HA! Dad needs to lighten up & have some fun & explore! :-)

When Baseball Players Fight!

 Vs.
Boy will be Boys! HA!

Ok, I'll give Barrett a point for a pretty good hit on Pierzynski! HA! Did Pierzynski deserve it? Well...ok so he was excited & happy but don't tell me he wasn't trying to push Barrett's & the Cubs buttons rubbing it in with the slapping of the plate & the push to Barrett when he got up!

Now would I have preferred Barrett just do the same & get Pierzynski to make the choice of hitting...might have worked out better but....NO...I'm not for violence, but ask me if I wasn't excited when the benches cleared! HA! Isn't that just pathetic!

I will say Pierzynski can take a hit, but then again look at his size in comparison to Barrett, so not a big achievement if you ask me.

Now I loved Darrin Jackson's (announcer) comment that "I dont' care what MLB says, you want to get out there because if you are the last man in the dug out when the fight is over you will be in trouble with your teammates!" Ultimate Conformity! Great example for my class this summer! HA! It is true...just think of what would happen. Sad but so true. Unless you are some huge guy that no one is going to mess with, but then you probably are not going to be in baseball! HA!

It is a shame the Cubs couldn't use the fight to get them excited and play better. It is just helping the Sox now.

Just pathetic...Sox win 7-0! UGH!!!!

Talk about Boys being Boys....
 VS
Well talk about tv violence influencing you...ha! After the Pierzynski vs Bartlett fight Dusty jumped off my legs, where he was getting quite a lovely massage I might add & you'd think relaxing him, and he goes & sucker swatts Country. Country wasn't even facing him. Laying down minding his own business. Then after I yelled at Dusty he went & did it again. Country was a good boy "for once!" My guess Dusty thought Country was invading his space. You know it is great feeling to have guys fighting over you but somehow this is not quite what I had in mind! HA!

P.S.  Ha! I just had to add...they were just playing "Why Can't We Be Friends" showing Sox & Cubs fans together...guess they should play that in the locker rooms! HA!

Home Sick & QVC! Ugh!

This is why it is not good being home sick! HA! I just made my very first purchase from QVC! No, I didn't buy some jewelry, a stud machine to jewel up my lampshade or some of Maria Osmond's Dolls! :-) Let me explain....

Ok, so I'm looking at the clock on my computer & I realize I missed the Cubs vs. White Sox game. I figured hmmm depending on what happened with that game (right) maybe they have the post game or something on. I turn on the tv & see Dr. Dyer listed! Now I like Dr. Dyer. I met him a number of years ago in AZ & he has been quite sweet & generous to me over the years. I am currently reading his newest book "Inspiration" now. Well, QVC has a book of his which is not coming out until Oct AND (hear a "That's not all") 6 CDS for like $40 with S&H). Now early & for that price. The book alone is that price, though I look for the best sales! I think I'm going to be in trouble if I don't switch the channel...apple chips...mmmm!

Feline Friday

I put "loopy" because I'm still not feeling real good. Trying to graduating on what I'm eating. So far ok but still causing some problems. Ugh!

Here is my Feline Friday entry for (sometimes) Photoblog. This is Dusty (his formeral name is Dakota) when I first got him! Wasn't he adorable. You have to click on "View Larger" to see real good! He is "My Baby"! Even though sometimes he doesn't like to be loved so much! HA! He is like me I think...he loves to be loved & hugged & kissed etc but can only take so much & then ok, lets go have some fun! HA! Then he comes back for more! ;-) You know he still hops & runs around like he did when he was a kitten & he was 16 yrs old this past March. The 2nd picture is the ribbons he got when I showed him in his first year or so. 1sts & a few 2nd place depending on how many cats were competing against him & who the judge was. They have their past favorites and prejudices on types etc.

Later I found out he was a Nebelung. The description is even...

"Like the Russian Blue, Nebelungs make affectionate, devoted companions, though they may be initially shy with strangers, particularly young children. Nebelungs may take a little extra time to adapt to new homes. The breed is quite rare and is available currently only in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia. "

Well I'm not shy with children but he can be if he doesn't know them. He also HATES hats of any kind! I can't even wear one or he freaks.

Now Country I adopted from my brother. He is affectionately nicknamed "Osma" since he terrorizes Dusty! He also is an attention hound! Ugh! No comment on the attention hound part matching my bro! HA!

It is a no wonder my clothes have cat hair on them. Dusty never got in the dryer so I was quite surprised when I found him in there for the first time. More like scared the heck out of me when I put my hand in to grab clothes. Good thing I didn't close the door & turn it on! HA! But then Dusty got closed in the flues. My folks had a double flue for their fireplace so that helped getting him. What the cat was doing up there I'm not sure. Maybe he smelled the raccoons who would invariably make a home in the winter time there. I think I posted once before he saved our family from a raccoon that got in the house once. We tell him he adds lives when he does heroic things. :-)

Well I'm going to have to take some more recent pictures of them this weekend if I can! And Sam & Ella man...HUGE! I'm not sure I can hold Sam with one hand & take the picture with the other anymore! I'll try!

Ask the Fruitcake Lady

No I was not referring to myself! Ugh! HA! I got to this site by way of John's Mustache entry. I love mustaches & beards too but those I don't think I would like...though they are fun & cool.

You have got to watch this video of the Fruitcake Lady! OMG! LMAO! She is just hysterical! Could you imagine her being a professor! I'd love it! Something about older people getting away with so much more. I had a prof a few years ago who was close to 80 yrs old & boy was he quite open. But he was great too. No one minded him using the F word...it was appropriate in context, but I know darn well if it was someone younger people probably would have more of a problem with it.

Of course I was a bit peeved on her answer about finding a good man at 40! Ugh! But I can't say she is wrong! HA!

He Said, She Said II

Here is another cartoon! Pretty funny...but likely true! HA! At least in my family it was pretty typical! :-)

What do you all think?

Test, Tests & More Test Ugh!

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday. They changed me from Prilosec to Nexium. Said Prilosec causes gas. Lovely! You cure one thing & cause another. I swear it is all the meds causing our problems...where is Kevin Trudeau! HA!

I have to have a CT done next week & some Hydrogen Breath Test for 3 hours the first week of June which indicates what bacteria is in your stomach I guess. Had some blood tests done also. We'll see. Still got pain on my right rib cage front & back. Ugh. Just trying to take it slow & moment to moment. They are checking on my Adrenal gland too. Apparently, the doc was a bit upset noone did a follow up on it. I told her it was my understanding all I had to do was watch my potassium but she didn't seem to think so. She said it has been 2 yrs and noone reCTd it.

Well, I tried some Kashi Vanilla Oatmeal today. Pretty good. Not too Vanilla though? I LOVE Vanilla. I bought this 7 Whole Grain Pilaf they make too and I want to try it tomorrow. I made this pasta last night...Orzo I think? It is like a rice pasta. Pretty good. Trying to eat small amounts throughout the day so my stomach can handle it. Eating & then ending up not able to do anything the rest of the day is not great so...

I also bought a few weeks ago some granola & cereal by BearNaked. Anyone try that yet? Pretty good. Look at the nutrients & what they don't have in it!

Felt a bit like I was going to pass out Tues afternoon. Now just a bit wobbly at times. Need to go out & get in the sun a bit. Trying to relax. I think tomorrow I'll go to Eric's Traditional Yang Tai Chi class. Eric is great and he didn't use to have classes in the area so I want to start. It is evening so that will be better. We'll see how today goes though. My feet are freezing right now. Ugh! The hospital forgot to do the CBC test. My doc called to tell me & I have to do it next Wed when I go. That would check my iron again.

Ok, more later!

Calling all Crocodile Hunters????

Ok, is this just me but is this one of the smartest ways to catch an alligator?

Why don't they call Steve Irwin to solve the FL Gator problem? HA!

Can you imagine explaining this one to your boss. Think he'd get workman's comp? HA!

Now wouldn't this just be great for a resume or job interview! ;-)

The gator is probably thinking "Appetizer & dinner...YUM!" HA!

I don't mean to make light of this situation as 3 people have all died...wonder why women are more appetizing to crocs? You think it is male crocs or females? HA! Again, sorry but sometimes you need to just laugh off the stress of sadness. It is really sad that the environment for the crocs is causing this. We really do need to help out our fellow animals on this planet.

And yes I know there is a difference between crocs & alligators but it was just easier to write crocs & I'm sure Steve Irwin will still come! HA! 

Think Michael Douglas will come? Ha! (Romancing the Stone!) Anyone else up for the challenge? Any "real life Jesses" out there? :-) Could be some mighty fine boots! No I'm not in favor...just a joke! Anyone hear Jeff Foxworthy's joke on his stingray boots...someone asks him if they are waterproof! HA!

Ok, enough....  :-)

Everyone...thing is SICK!

UGH!!!!!!

Ok, I've not been feeling well on & off for over 2 weeks now. Last Thursday I'm suppose to go to a concert & have fun! YA! My brother surprised me & treated me with tickets for my birthday. Everything is going perfect & we head to the concert. We get to the concert & there are no cars in the parking lot. I'm like "Are you sure you have the right place? The right date?" We look everything checks out. We get to the gates & there are officers passing out flyers...this was not good I'm thinking. Lead singer gets Laryngitis! Ugh! I'm like "sure"...but maybe! Then we notice on the sign it says in big Red Letters POSTPONED! Well we checked, nope didn't say it on the sign the directions we were driving! Ugh!

So then we head back & make a stop at Target. A few minutes before we are leaving I get this real sharp thin pain near my right hip. I'm like "What the heck is that?" Happened 2 more times but then nothing. We get back & I have something fairly bland...just boneless breast of chicken & boiled potatoes. Ugh! I felt like I was going to passout all night. In the bathroom on & off. Finally, got 2 hours of sleep & woke up feeling the same way. Oh & I forgot to mention my face had some blotchy red areas....not quite spots?It was all red & hot but no temp. Once it was 99. I have no clue! Called the doc! They think it is the antibiotics I was on for 2 weeks or I caught a bug or I got the bug on top of my antibiotics screwing me up & so it can't handle it. They said my gallbladder my also be part of the problem. They know I've had a stone in it for a few years now. Yep got some pain on the right rib cage but nothing severe. I have no clue. My sister took off Friday to stay with me. She is so sweet....except she upset me once....ugh! You'd think when a person is sick you would leave them alone!


I'm confined to eating rice, mash potatoes, toast & apple sauce. Isn't that just fun! Ugh! I headed back home last night to see how it would go. So far not tooo bad. At least I haven't felt like I'm going to pass out since Fri evening. I can't stand that feeling especially if I'm alone. Probably have to go into the doc tomorrow & have them run some tests. Great first day off! Oh then when I got home & logged on I find my computer has all these emails that it is sending out & I haven't been doing it! If you got one I'm soooo sorry! So my computer is sick too! Ugh! I contacted AOL & they had me forward everything to the TOSReports and change my password. If you received some stupid thing on investments from me sorry...."Wazzzn't Me!" :-) Watch your sent folder! Well, as soon as I'm feeling better I'll try to catch up on reading postings and getting back to all your emails.

Anyone got an Ark?

Well this week isn't too bad since I'm still stuck grading but if it rains the whole 3 weeks I'm off someone is going to be in trouble is all I got to say! This is just pathetic! The river is so high right now!

Ok, I'll give it next week because I plan on doing "DEEP" cleaning anyway, but after I get everything clean & organized then I want to go play outside! Anyone want to go play with me! ;-) Gotta find my bubbles, kites, sandbox toys etc! :-)

Yep...I'm in a playful mood! I was at Petco...well I had to get crunchies for my babies...they just don't like Paul Newman's idea of catfood! Sam & Ella needed filters etc. Sam & Ella really need a 90 gallon tank! Anyone got one they want to sell cheap! :-) I also need a farmer's table it can go on!

So I saw this tinnie hermit crab....it was soooooo cute.... :-) He is drinking some lovely water & lots of different fruits & dried food! Heee heee heee! Then well I found this cute fish tank for my desk last week. I'll take a picture later & so I had to find a fish to go with it right! :-) I mean staring at a bunch of rocks in water just doesn't bring down my bp! Double fin all brown one! Trying to think of a name right now.

Then I had to go fill my spirit with fun...I've been grading all day and listening to faculty with end of the year items & negotiations & just....sigh! So I watched this cute bunny who was hopping so cute & came up to me & licked the glass when I put my finger there! HA! Then the long haired teddy hamsters...I like those & the cute little mice. They had about 8 males in a tank all trying to go on the wheel at once...pathetic...trying to show off their machoness! HA! They were climbing on top even...trying to compete & top each other! They would get their legs caught & one his head caught...what they will do to impress a girl! HA! I swear if I had a house, I'd have the whole place filled of those colored trails tubes! Have to rig them up somehow going down the wall of stairs etc. All the kids in the neighborhood would be over playing at the crazy lady'shouse! :-) Fine dining...hell no! HA! You know my foot doctor told me he was going to find me a lovely vet to date...I need to call him to come through with that promise! :-)

They had some big rats too, but they were not very well fed apparently. The two we had to do experiments on in college were heavier. You had to hold them with two hands. We each had a male & female & we had to weigh them, take their temperature (oh ya that was real fun! HA!), then we would try to condition them in a Skinner box & then we also fed them & tracked their weight & laps on the wheel. Males ate more & exercised less & weighed less...see ladies I have the proof! I think there was a maze one too...hmmm forgetting already! We had chickens too in Experimental Psych. No that was Comparative psych for the rats. Chickens were in their inbetween stage of development & we made a box with a color wheel & had to condition it to peck to certain colors etc. Fun stuff! 

The fruit flies in Genetics were actually the funniest! Poor Dr. Romano, we were his first class! He was only about 5 yrs older than us. I was part of his "3 Musketeers". I have no clue why he came up with that name but maybe because the three of us girls sat in the first row & heckled him all the time in class! HA! Let me tell you heading to campus at 4am because you have to get the offspring out so they don't breed with the parents or sibs was not fun. You're half asleep...sometimes well a bit "happy" and trying to look at them under a microscope...HA! They are coming out of the anesthesia & flying around...you're like there goes my grade flying away! HA! What fun that all was!

Ok, that was my break! I have to find something to eat...no I haven't & I know but I was having fun at Petco! :-) Then a bit more grading & off to dreamland! I was actually in bed by 1:30 last night (this morning) AMAZING! I can't remember the last time I was in bed that early! HA! Well my classes don't start until noon so...and it probably had something to do with watching the Cubs (replay) lose ANOTHER game! Ugh! Maybe if they get rained out it will help! HA!

He Said She Said #1

Ha! My brother sent me a bunch of these today! I'll give you one each day until I run out! I love them! Goes along with Dr. Deborah Tannen's video I show my students called "He Said She Said". I'll try to write about the video this summer! Click to enlarge!

Play Ball....

Hey...had to just post the Cubs Schedule :-) Am I ready for summer or what?! HA!

Finals week starts tomorrow & then 3 weeks off! YAAAAA!

Have a communion party to go to today but then back to grading! Cubbies play at 3 today! Are the Sox playing? Dang, they are Sox & Cardinal fans mostly...I just may have to skip out! HA! Should be fun though today! I'll update you later if I get a chance.

If postings are skimpy until next Friday it is due to getting grades in!

Amore

Just some interesting thoughts from watching the tail end of "As Good As It Gets"....

Hunt: "Have you ever let a romantic moment make you do something that you knew was stupid?"

Oh YA! Well maybe it wasn't stupid totally? Well, it didn't have to be...dang I'd still do it again...now is that stupid? HA!

Nicholson: "You make me want to be a better man."

Ahhh isn't that what love is about. To see the potential in someone & because someone believes in you, you feel like you can obtain that potential! Hmmm

Nicholson: "I might be the only person on the face of the earth that knows you're the greatest woman on earth. I might be the only one who appreciates how amazing you are in every single thing that you do, and how you are with Spencer, "Spence," and in every single thought that you have, and how you say what you mean, and how you almost always mean something that's all about being straight and good. I think most people miss that about you, and I watch them, wondering how they can watch you bring their food, and clear their tables and never get that they just met the greatest woman alive. And the fact that I get it makes me feel good, about me."

To see someone as noone else seem them...Wow!

Kinear to Nicholson: "The best thing you have going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself." In reference to not waiting to let things cool off but to go see Hunt NOW! :-)

Nicholson: "I can't get back to my old life. She's evicted me from my life!"
Kinear: "Did you really like it all that much?"

I love this line. No matter what happens we are not the same but that is not necessarily a bad thing!

Hunt: "To hell with sex! It was better thansex! We held each other! What I needed, he gave me great."

Do you know what he/she needs? FIND OUT!!!

This remind me of that line in "Runaway Bride" when she asks him why he got a divorce & he doesn't know & doesn't realize he doesn't know why....then later realizes he just didn't see his wife.

Also love this one: "I guarantee that we'll have tough times and I guarantee that at some point one or both of us will want to get out. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life cause I know in my heart you're the only one for me."

Side note: I think Gere will still be making me drool when he is 100 yrs old! HA!

Ok back to where I was...

Hunt: "Why can't I have a normal boyfriend? Just a regular boyfriend, one that doesn't go nuts on me!"
 
Hunt's Mom: "Everybody wants that, dear. It doesn't exist."

I love this! Very true! Who the heck is normal?

Kinear to Nicholson: "Melvin, do you know where you're lucky? You know who you want."

Ahhh but how many still do not go after what they want! Risk it all????!!! Sad!

Hunt: "I'm not going to sleep with you! I will never sleep with you, never, ever! Not ever!" 
Nicholson: "Well, I'm sorry, but... we don't open for the "no sex oaths" until 9am."

I just love that one! HA!

Nicholson: "Seeing you relaxes me. I'd feel better sitting ouside your apartment on the curb than any other place I can think of or imagine."

The "Home" feeling! "Safe" is another word I think.


I think of "Wedding Date" also...

Mulroney: "I'd rather fight with you than make love with anyone else."

Hmmmm ;-)

Mulroney: " Close your eyes. Close your eyes. Close... your... eyes. You're safe. You can relax. I'm not going to kiss you. He's gonna be so sorry he lost you, so stop worrying. Forget the past. Forget the pain. And remember what an incredible woman you are. You do that and he'll realize what he lost. "

Messing: "Holy crap. You're worth every penny."

When is the last time your told your mate something like that?!

Mulroney: "The hardest thing is loving someone and then having the courage to let them love you back."

Ya, that can be tough.

Messing: "You know what pisses me off? I've been spilling my guts all weekend and I don't know a thing about you. "

Mulroney: [pause] "I'm allergic to fabric softener. I majored in comparative literature at Brown. I hate anchovies. And I think I'd miss you even if we never met."

Talk about melting! Who wrote this script???

I know I'm just in a mushy mood as I head off to dreamland...maybe I'll have a good dream? ;-)

Of course I also like...

Messing's Friend: "Ooooh! Where the bloody hell have you been? I have gynecologists that call more often."

Messing: "You have more than one gynecologist?"

Messing's Friend: "You have to play them off. Otherwise they think your easy."

HA! Too funny...had to lighten it up! :-)