omnis, I'm sorry about your aunt.

Amtrak~ma, Sox!

Good morning, rest of world. I have the gronk. I started drinking caffeine again last week, with the classic addict's reasoning of "Surely I can have a little bit!" which led to pounding 20-oz Mountain Dews in the dumpster behind 7-11. (Okay, fine, I exaggerate.) I couldn't sleep last night, and now I'm tired and irritable. Oh, yeah - that's why I quit. And now I need to do the laundry again and clean the bathroom. Why can't the fucking housework just stay done?

Amtrak~ma. Transport is so cool when it works right.

Zenkitty, my sistah. I hear you on both the caffeine and housework issues. I clearly can't live without caffeine, yet sleeping at night is such a good thing. I'm going to try the cut off after lunch method, again. Housework, another level of hell. My current plan involves getting the place to a level of order that will allow me to get a cleaning person again. Right now it would not be possible for a pro to clean since there is not a single surface that isn't covered with debris. Sigh.

I'm working on work stuff today though, no housework. Maybe laundry.

Oh, yes indeed, Laura. No horizontal surface is safe around here; it will be smothered within a couple days. I had the ironing board set up to iron one pair of pants - I hadn't used the thing in like 20 years, no shit - it was up for a week, and yesterday I finally cleared off the stuff that had accumulated on it and put it away again. I'm hopeless.

Why can't the fucking housework just stay done?

I know. Entropy's a bitch. Not, you know a Bitch, although if it was it might explain a few things.

Laura, I'm sorry to hear about Bob. Peace and strength to his family and those who knew and loved him. And a gentle hug for you.

omnis, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. Occasionally, timing can be awesomely strange.

Travel-ma to Sox, who I may not have said hi to before. In which case, Hi, Sox!

And not least, Felicitations on the (day after, sorry!) Anniversary of Your Wedding Day, Jess and E! I hope the day itself was full of celebration of promises fulfilled and promises to come. May the coming year bring you joy, health, and a wealth of discovery.

Good morning all.

~ma to all that needs it.

I'm here to mention a salon.com posting by a former Weekly World News writer, lamenting the demise of the publication. [link]

From the article:

I once pitched a story positing that the U.S. government had data confirming that the one commonality linking all mass killers, including the Columbine shooters, was that they never masturbated. Rather than issue this report, which would save lives but promote onanism, the government preferred to let occasional slaughters take place. My editor rejected it on the grounds that it was "too plausible."

Now I want to see the "god kills a kitten" image with "sponsored by the US Government" stamped on the bottom... Hmmm.

{{{Omnis Audis}}} {{{Laura}}}

train~ma for Sox.

The gronk she is mighty. It is past noon, I have been up for about an hour, and I want to go back to bed.

I am sorely tempted to create a sock pupped with the user name "Entropy".

That is all.

Oh, Laura! Bob? He was a cool guy. Much love to y'all.

I'm supposed to be taping a game show on Tuesday. Along with a long list of clothes I can't wear which pretty much rules out my entire wardrobe I have received these instructions,

"Women: We know that some women do not wear make-up. However, when you appear on camera it is absolutely necessary for women to wear base, some blush, lipstick and mascara. We will only be providing touch-ups. Please arrive made-up."

OK I own some foundation and some lipstick. These are things I wear for very special occasions, like weddings. I might be able to dig up some eye shadow. I haven't worn mascara since high school and I'd have it on for five minutes before I rubbed my eyes and smeared it all over. The last time I tried to wear blush I put on too much and looked like a clown. I'm going to call the talent coordinator tomorrow and ask if just foundation and lipstick would be acceptable but what if she says no? Is there really such a thing as smudge-proof mascara? Should I go get made up at a salon Monday night and sleep on my back? Honestly when I got the instuctions my first impulse was to cancel but it would be super sweet if I won a little money. Any makeup advice would be greatly appreciated.

Is there really such a thing as smudge-proof mascara?

Yes, well, at least significantly less smudgy

Should I go get made up at a salon Monday night and sleep on my back?

No.

Do you know anyone who wears makeup regularly who can go shopping with you today or tomorrow? If you haven't developed an eye for the colors, you probably want some help with that. The people at the cosmetics counter could do it for you, but you'll be spending a good bit of money in that case.