Wear glasses, stay awake

Vision Optic Co has created a product that will wake you up when you start to nod off.

Vibrating glasses. Yes, these glasses will vibrate when your head tilts to any angle you set the alarm sensor. For only $370 you can stay awake at work.

However, the Chicago Tribune recently published an article about how it is good for you to sleep at work. I wonder what Vision Optic Co has to say about that?!?

slime in the bath tub

In an attempt to make bath time more fun, Gelli Baff turns your bath water into slime. The powder int he package(sodium polyacrylate) can hold up to 400 times it's own weight in water, turning your normal bath water in to a slime consistency...with color choices, of course.

How does this go down the drain you ask? Just add the nifty dissolver packet or plain old table salt to turn your slime back into water.

Aren't you supposed to get clean in a bath? This kind of grosses me out. All I remember having as a kid were those "washable" crayons that you could write on the tub walls with.

Giant penis visible in Microsoft map

In Southampton, UK, some teenage boys played a prank on their teachers some years ago. They used weedkiller to burn a 20 foot long drawing of a penis into the school's lawn. Since, the grass has been reseeded and act nearly forgotten.

Interestingly, between the prank and the new grass growing in, an aerial picture was taken by a company and the company later sold these images to Microsoft's Virtual Earth.

Thanks to the Internet(and aerial surveying), the prank lives on.

Pretty hilarious, if you ask me.

Oprah, stop it

Most people know that I am not much of an Oprah supporter, which definitely puts me in the minority living in Chicago. She does good things for people, but my main issue with her is that she is constantly overstepping her bounds and trying to be an expert in areas that she has no experience or expertise.

I have severely mixed feelings about her book club, which she is continuing after a one year hiatus, post James Frey controversy. On one hand, if it gets more people in this country to read, I am pro her book club. But honestly, what credentials does Oprah have to recommend books to the public?

LED Ear Pick

It just looks painful. If you need one of these, I think you need to see a doctor.
My roommate would have a fit is she ever saw someone sticking of of these in thier ear.

Or you could just have my mom over to play darts

Recently spotted are 3 stainless steel dart coat hangers for $34. Instead of having steel tips, screws are placed on the ends so they can be secured to the wall.

It reminds me of the time that my brother had just moved into a new house, hung a dart board and my mom threw the first dart...straight into the wall.

I have returned from the frozen tundra

I didn't really tell many people I was leaving, but...I'm back.

I headed to the farm for 4 days, where there was about a foot of snow and it was freezing cold. I am happy to report that grandpa is doing surprisingly well, considering.

I'm too exhausted to blog now. More later...maybe.

My no good, very bad Wednesday until Jenne showed up

So, after losing my wallet this weekend, I have been busy trying to get replacements of everything. Such a pain.

This was also Jenne's last day in Chicago before heading back to San Diego and we were going to hang out for a while before her flight this evening. Trying to be Miss Productive, I got up early this morning and was going to run some errands and Jenne was going to go with me to the DMV to get a new drivers license.

Well, I went out to my car to run a few errands before Jenne arrived at 10am and my passenger door was a little frozen shut, so I gave it a good tug, put my stuff in the car and went to the drivers side. When I started my car the door ajar light came on. Well, I had managed to "break" the car door latch when I tugged on the door...who knew I was that strong? So after fiddling with the latch and trying to fix it for about 30 minutes, I get in my car and start to call my dad to see if he has any ideas. As I am calling, I hear a tapping on my window, Jenne has arrived.

Let's just say, Jenne saved the day. I think I would have had a full on break down without her. I have had a fairly awful last 2 weeks(and that is being optimistic) and this was going to be the final straw. Fortunately, Jenne came with her "everything is going to be ok" attitude and saddled up in my car and held the door shut while we drove to this auto place, where the nicest man in the world worked. I told him the issue and he came out with a Bic pen and reset the latch and we were on our way. It was really the best thing that has happened to me in a long time...and he didn't even charge me for the use of his pen.

I think Jenne summed it up best when she said, "Sometimes all you need is a man and his pen."

The day got much better after that. I decided to put the DMV off until tomorrow and frolic in Target with Jenne and we hung out all afternoon. It was just what I needed.

i drink ....a lot

of water.

In an effort to cut back on my caffeine consumption I have not bought cases of pop to keep in the fridge in over three weeks. I also have significantly cut back on my coffee consumption at work. I was also getting concerned about my teeth getting stained. Vain, I know, but I think nice teeth are very important.

I have always been a big water drinker, but I drink even more now that I am not consuming other beverages. In fact, I am drinking over a gallon of water a day...and I love it.

It was a busy weekend

Expecting the boys to arrive about 10pm on Friday, I agreed to go into work for a few hours on my day off before thier arrival. Right before leaving for work, Mel called to tell me her aunt had cancelled her plans for the weekend and she was on her way to Chicago. After work, I hurried home and Mel and I went up north to meet the guys. We hit up some of our usual spots and had a good time hanging out.

Saturday Mel, Megan and I went to get hot tea in the afternoon at Caribou. On the way home, we got detoured and the guys ended up coming over here to meet us for a little dinner. After a late dinner, I headed home but Megan and Mel went back up north with them.

Sunday, I worked 9am-9pm(hence the going home early on Sat). Jenne and Liz were intown from Cali and Wisconsin, respectively. Liz's sister Margaret joined up and we headed out for another round of drinks. It was good to see those girls. I can't believe that Jenne has been gone for 6 months.

It was a non-stop weekend with 8 different people in town and trying to spend as much time with everyone as possible.

i'm back

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. ..with the rule does not guarantee validity, but non-compliance precludes it. Sexual Morality by Ronald Atkinson
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. my planner
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? the Bears game on Sunday
4. Without looking, guess what time it is: 10:15am
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 10:10am
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? traffic and music
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? 11:30pm yesterday, I was walking home from work
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? several blogs and the news
9. What are you wearing? Now? shorts and an old baseball shirt
10. Did you dream last night? yes
11. When did you last laugh? this morning
12. Seen anything weird lately? weird is such a relative term
13. What do you think of this quiz? i like the book question
14. What is the last film you saw? The Devil Wears Prada(dvd), The Departed(in the theaters)
15. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? a small island
16. Tell me something about you that I don’t know: i frequently get the hiccups from drinking diet coke out of the can
17. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? just one thing, hmmm...
18. Do you like to dance? well, i like to make up a lot of my own dances
19. George Bush: I'm glad I don't have his job
20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? her name
21. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? his name
22. Would you ever consider living abroad? Yes
23. What do you want to say to God when you reach the pearly gates? hello.

YOY Update

9 months down, 3 to go.

I am taking the last 3 by storm.

And yeah, that's all you get.

So, you think you know me

See how well you know me in 10 easy questions

Tiny transmitters found in Canadian coins...

Bugged coins mysteriously turn up in pockets of at least 3 American contractors dealing with sensitive military technology.

Edible squid postcards

It's possible.





Surumail postcards are being sold in the coastal town of Susami in Wakayama prefecture. The postcard consists of dried surume squid, a local specialty. The squid jerky is flattened and vacuum packed into the shape of a post card. The post card also comes with adhesive labels to add a short message.

Since being introduced in 2000, approximately 4000 to 5000 post cards are sold per year.

hungry? just lick a stamp

China is celebrating the year of the pig by issuing a new postage stamp. On the front, the stamp is a scratch and sniff that smell slike sweet and sour pork and the back is of the same flavor when licked.






Just lick and enjoy.

I bet people on diets are frantically writing letters every time they get hungry.

Free will

According to free will astrology this is what my next week looks like.

"The creative person is both more primitive and more cultivated, more destructive and more constructive, a lot madder and a lot saner, than the average person." So said Dr. Frank Barron, a pioneer in the psychology of creativity. I believe that describes you pretty well right now, Taurus--even if you don't usually think of yourself as creative or artistic. The astrological omens suggest that you've got more lust for life than any other sign of the zodiac; you're in an intimate alignment with the throbbing hum of the Divine Wow. Please remember how important it is to be discerning about where you direct that much energy! Don't waste it on trivial pleasures or goals that are unworthy of you. You now have the power to change things you thought you could never change in a thousand years.

Too bad I don't believe in horoscopes or everyone would have to watch out for my energy this week. I do have a lust for life, though.

Jared Reiner is still playing ball... in Souix Falls

My brother frequently forwards me interesting articles and other random things. This past week he forwarded some thing he found online.

Jared Reiner's blog.

Ha ha.

He was one of my favorite players at Iowa when I went there, not because he was that good, but because, well...I don't know why. Everyone thought it was a coincidence when he moved to Chicago right after I did, but I think we all know better than that(ha ha).

He played for the Bulls for a year then went to the Suns where he was injured pre-season, I believe. He is now playing for some team in Souix Falls.

Yes, another survey

Who Was the Last Person You.....

1. You hung out with? Megan
2. Rode in a car with? Megan
WHAT HAPPENED TO #3?
4. Went to the mall with?: umm, there aren't really malls in the city
5. You talked on the phone to?: Mel
6. Made you laugh?: I don't know. I laugh a lot. Keeping track of everyone that makes me laugh would be an exhausting job.
7. Last person you told and/or they told you they Loved you? my grandpa on the phone yesterday

Would you rather...

1. Pierce your nose or tongue?: nose. tongue piercings are bad for your teeth
2. Be serious or be funny?: funny
3. Drink whole or skim milk?: i don't really drink milk, but would use skim on my cereal
4. Die in a fire or get shot?: i've been shot before and would take it again
5. Spend time with your parents or enemies?: parents for sure

Answer truthfully...

1. Do you like anyone?: who don't i like?!?!
2. Sun or moon?: sun
3. Winter or Fall?: Fall(football season, of course)
4. left or right?: right(I'm always right)
5. 10 acquaintances or two best friends?: 2 besties
6. Sunny or rainy?: both. i love storms and a sunny day

About Me

1. What time is it?: 12:57pm
2. First Name?:Stacey
3. Where do you wanna live?: lots of places
4. How many kids do you want?: i don't know
5. Do you want to get married?: i just want to be happy
6. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?: it depends
7. Have you ever eaten spam?: NO! sick!
8. Favorite ice cream?: i don't really like ice cream
9. How many kinds of cereal are in your cabinet?: 3
10. Do you cook?: oh yessssssssssssss
11. Current mood?: relaxed

In the last 48 hours have I...

1. Kissed some one?: yes
2. Sang?: last night megan and i were doing some opera singing in the laundry room when some old man came in and offered to be our tenor...so, yes
3. been hugged?: yes
4. Felt stupid?: no
5. Missed someone?: very much so.
6. Danced Crazy?: for sure. i am pretty sure i dance everyday. our apartment is one big dance party
WHO DELETED #7?
8. Gotten your hair cut?: noooo
9. Cried?: no
10. Lied?: yes. it was a joke though and they knew i was lying.

Stuff...

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?: no, but i get singled out every time i fly. do i really look like a terrorist?
2. Do you have a Dog?: no...not even a hot dog in the fridge
3. When's the last time you've been sledding?: i still lived in Iowa City and it was with court, tilly, and aaron
#4 WAS MISSING
5. Do you believe in ghosts?: i don't know
6. Do you consider yourself creative?: yes

Taurarri, taurarri

Today when I was driving around town, some guy crossing the street totally gave my car the once over. Yes, I am pretty sure he wanted a ride in the Taurarri, but I reserve those for special people.

My car is truly one of legendary proportion. My dad even tries to drive it as much as he can when I am home. He will rearrange the cars in the drive way to block my car in so that I have to take one of my parents cars then, he goes joy riding in the Taurarri!!! He can't even deny it.

Really, I can't blame the guy for checking out my car.

Wrap it up, wrap it up

I am usually on top of my year in review and resolutions for the next year, but this post is coming out a little late. My apologies.

I am not going to do a month by month review, because if you are an avid(and you all should be) reader of my blog you know what went on in my life.

I successfully upheld 3 out of 4 of my new year's resolutions from last year. The one I did not complete was to read 30 books this year. I think I only read 17. I contribute this to the excessive amount of volleyball we played in Jamaica, I could have been reading on the beach the entire week.

Instead of making resolutions this year, I am going to have one new goal/habit every month. I will be a better person by 2007--twelve fold.

I miss her

Thursday evening, I arrived home full of anticipation and excitement to spend time with my family and celebrate Christmas, even if it was a week late. Shortly after arriving home, my mom received a phone call from my uncle and by looking at her face, I knew exactly the news that he was delivering. Grandma had passed away.

In November of 1999, Grandma was first diagnosed with cancer. After two surgeries and 6 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy in the first year the doctors decided there was no more that they could do, placed her on hospice and gave her six weeks to live.

The family was devastated and we celebrated the first of several what we thought would be Grandma's last Christmas in 2000. Grams continued to live at the farm and have nurses come to house on a regular basis to care for her. After 3 years, the decision was made that it was time to move her to a nursing home. My Grandpa willing went with her and joined her in an assisted care facility. While there she had her ups and downs until she fell and fractured her hip and had to enter the hospital. During this time, my Grandpa moved back to the farm when it was believed that my Grandma would not ever leave the hospital.

After being in the hospital for about a year it was decided that she would move back to the nursing home. At some point she went off hospice and returned to the nursing home. In April of this year, the family was called in and told that she would not live through the night and was placed on hospice, again. Well, being the fighter that she is, Gram lived through the night and kept on improving until she was taken off hospice care in August.

On Thursday morning, one of the nurses called my mom and told her that Gram's lungs were filling up with fluid and that they would like to place her on hospice for a third time. Knowing that my grandma did not like being on "end of life" care, because she never saw herself as dying, my mom said no. The nurse responded that she was in my grandma's room and that gram had agreed to hospice care this time. Later that day, only a few hours after my grandpa's daily visit to her, she took her last breath.

As much as I miss her, I am so glad that she doesn't have to suffer anymore.

[Edit]: My brother brought up a very good point after reading this post. Grandma never once complained or said "why me?" during her 7 year battle with cancer. She was a very brave and strong woman.