Owner: My Life | My Opinions | My Blog URL:http://keepingtrackoftheinsanity.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2007 10:54:23 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: My life and the world around me as I see it. Site statistics:Click here
Dinner and Birthdays... 2007-03-01 17:20:00 Here's to you Cheryl!!Originally uploaded by Misa Gracie. So we missed Jackie's birthday in January so we're making up for it in February... well, almost March... hey - it's been busy for all of us so we do the best we can!Anyway - went to Frank's Steakhouse in Cambridge. Food was good but the parking was terrible with a capital Ugh!. We had the best time after the restaurant when we walked to Kathy's car to open Jacie's present.See, Kathy has this weird aversion to public displays of any kind (I know! What does she hang out with me for? I AM a public display!!). If she has a gift for you, and it's larger than a loaf of bread (including the wrapping) she'll hide it in her car. She is so funny that way.So we're standing on the corner of Mass Ave and...um..where it goes from being Cambridge to being Arlington..anyway...and Jackie opens up her gift. It's a book.We went over this at Christmas...books aren't gifts unless they come with a gift card - or atleast that is gifting ac Read more:Dinner
, Birthdays
The 4400 2007-03-03 16:55:00 I know that there is this thing called "Delurking" week but I missed it because technically I didn't know it existed until it was near over... Then this morning I just realized that my hit counter is at 4400 - and I don't really know that many people...so I'm very curious!(I'm sure that most of the hits are from me because of my crazy mad editing skillz)So - I call forth the 4400, comment and tell me who you are and what your special power is... Then I'll be able to say hi to you and maybe check out your blog if you've got one..Ready...Set...Go!
Weapons of Mass Communication 2007-03-05 23:42:00 We’ve all been there. An email comes in from someone we haven’t been able to speak with in a long time. We feel the need to catch up, if only with an email. We promise to cover everything in detail the next time we see each other but in the interim we will survive with the medium at hand.We hit reply.We send our message containing the plight of our existence – we bitch about those who annoy us and those who ignore us. We tell tales of money woes or boast of giant raises. We are gleeful, petty, boisterous and sullen all in one missive. We liberally punctuate our thoughts with emoticons, anagrams and hahahaaaa’s.We spell check. We proof read. We send with confidence.As the light dawns we fight the urge to crawl into a hole infinitely deeper than the farthest depths of the ocean. We realized that we hit “reply all”.We repeatedly hit the browser back button hoping to undo what we have done. There is no going back. *gasp*Horrifically – the recipient list contains those who st Read more:Weapons
Obliterate Cancer!! 2007-03-06 18:07:00 As many of you know, my dear friend Melina waged a valiant (and successful) battle against cancer when she was in her early 20's. It was something no one who knew her is likely to forget.She was young and strong and it nearly ended her.So, there is a fund raiser benefiting Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund. I have started a team (Amazing Grace) and you are encouraged to join, donate what you can - every $ counts - and help obliterate cancer! Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.T'was Grace that taught...my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear...the hour I first believed.Through many dangers, toils and snares...we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...and Grace will lead us home.The Lord has promised good to me...His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be...as long as life endures.When we've been here ten thousand years. Read more:Cancer
It's MEME time! 2007-03-09 03:41:00 Why, what is a meme? It's one of those fun little quizes people fill out to tell you more about themselves than you every really wanted to know...meme time!5 Things I want Today:1. Ali to come home safe when he finishes working.2. Minou to stop chasing the little ball with the jingle bell around the living room or at least switch it for the solid foam ball that is silent.3. My dentist to call and tell me my appointment tomorrow has to be cancelled - permenently - because they have discovered a new pill that I can take that will make my teeth perfect.4. The dishwasher to load itself.5. To fall into a comfortable, peaceful and restful sleep and remain so for about 15 hours.5 Things I want Tomorrow:1. To wake up fully rested before my alarm goes off and realize that I have 2 hours get ready - at my leisure.2. To find that the ever illusive Petroleum Fairy has visited leaving a full tank of gas in the wake of the Ali-monster draining the tank and not telling me - grr.3. For my desk at wor
Frustration... 2007-03-08 18:25:00 That is the prevailing theme of the last several weeks. It seems that most everyone I’ve spoken with has the same impression. I don’t know if it’s some mystical master plan of the universe or if there is a black cloud hanging over the heads of everyone I’ve come into contact with, but things are far more insane than usual.Several people I work with expressed feelings that the world is becoming increasingly selfish and rude. I don’t disagree.Friends have come to me with stories of crazy and sometimes bizarre behavior they have witnessed recently. I can certainly relate.What is going on?I recently watch a little flick titled “Idiocracy”. It’s about an average Joe and a slightly below average Jane who are frozen for 500 years and when reanimated, they find that the world has deteriorated to such a degree that they are now, by far, the smartest and most reasonable people in the world.In the year 2505 the Oscar for everything goes to a film titled “Ass”. This is a riveti Read more:Frustration
You know, there are some really funny people out there...and blogging brings me right into their heads where the party is. 2007-03-10 04:12:00 VIP Passes Baby!So, I have been reading about Y and her wonderful, funny and oddly familiar life for a while now.Through Y, I came upon J's blog Oh, the joys and realized that she too was a funny, intelligent and wonderful blogger.Through J, I've recently discovered Kevin and almost wet myself laughing.seriously.busted out with my super-loud snortlaugh.had to run to the bathroom.then I had to pull Minou from the light fixture.she had been sleeping soundly, curled into my side on the bed.Now she's glaring at me from on top of the dresser.I must remember to hide my shoes - lest I find a "present" in the morning.ANYWAY...If you haven't already - check out these sites..and the ones in my side bar. They are way too entertaining...How entertaining you ask?I was reading them yesterday when I got home from work and...wait for it....waaaiiiitttt....I forgot to watch Smallville.I KNOW! So go read them!NOW! Read more:people
I need a root canal... 2007-03-09 18:54:00 I don't want to go either....yuck. I managed to put it off until the 19th at 2pm. If the FDA announces a miracle drug that restores the health of teeth - rendering the brutality of root canals obsolete - please let me know!*sigh*
*yawn* 2007-03-13 01:42:00 my apologies.to0 tired to blog.damn time change!zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Piggy Backing - Yet Again! 2007-03-14 18:39:00 I am often awed and inspired by the generosity of others. When faced with a difficult situation, often tense but most commonly simply awkward, how would I respond? And, like the store manager in her post, would I act quickly enough and on my own or make an attempt at contrition only after someone else has already “done the right thing” in my stead.In situations like these, you never really know how it all turns out in the ‘end’. The man in the restaurant was obviously battling his own demons and therefore chose to head off to destinations unknown. The results of the generosity of K will not be known – would this man find the peace of mind and opportunity to enjoy the meal or would his demons get the better of him and this kind gesture become the spoils of his personal war.I remember once, several years ago, when I was working as a florist I was faced with an opportunity and ended up falling short of the mark. The flower shop faced the back stairs of the Marriott Customs Hous Read more:Piggy
, Backing
, Again
Dear BlogPaul, 2007-03-14 16:31:00 Sorry for ranting in your comments. I'll keep it in my own yard from now on.I love your blog and totally respect your space. I "hit it" and then thought I shouldn't post a reply to a comment on your post and couldn't take it back.*shuffling off to mind my own business now*Sincerely,Misa
Victoria's Secret is Getting OUT!! 2007-03-14 03:38:00 I just read an interesting post by BlogPaul which was just an elaborate comment on this post by thethinkingblog.It started me thinking. Do I agree that a woman should have just as much right to walk down the street without a shirt on as a man?hmmmm...I do think that freedom is very valuable and precious. It should be protected and celebrated at every turn. In theory I do strongly believe that everyone, men and women alike, should have the right to go about their business in whatever state of dress they feel appropriate. Total equals. In theory.I also feel that freedom of choice is paramount in our daily lives. If someone wanted to walk down the street in nothing but a pair of rubbergaloshes and a rain hat, so be it. It's not a choice I would make, but I'm not that person so I have no say in the matter. If that person also wanted to go to Finagle-a-Bagel and order a bagel smothered in poo, well, in a completely free society they could in fact order a poo bagel. Should the restaurant a
mmmm Caaaaake! Bad Frosting!! 2007-03-16 04:38:00 I made a cake. Not just any cake, a chocolate Devils Food cake baked to perfection. 9" circles of pure joy. Each layer was cut and filled with strawberry preserves and stacked neatly into a tower-o-cake.I picked up the first cannister of Betty Crockers whipped cream frosting and smeared and smoothed its white goodness up and down the sides of this chocolate masterpiece. I smoothed the edges and used the second cannister to make the top smooth as glass.I grabbed my piping bag of hot pink frosting. I wrote Congrats! Matt & Heather in beautiful cursive letters.I then picked up my other piping bag of bright green frosting and made a cute four leaf clover on the edge. I move in to put a cute little clover on the other side and...BOOM!The damn bag exploded.Green frosting everywhere.The cat ran and hid under the couch in the living room.My master piece was destroyed. Giant globules of green f***ing frosting were everywhere. It looked like someone had put Oscar the Grouch in a blender and pour Read more:Frosting
The Cake 2007-03-17 15:57:00 The Cake Originally uploaded by Misa Gracie. Here it is folks - the cake... it came out okay in the end, the shower was fun and Matt & Heather were happy. Baby is supposed to arrive April 11th - good luck!
My Nervous Breakdown As Evidenced Through Home Improvement Projects 2007-03-21 20:00:00 On Monday at work I was a blathering idiot full of nerves and “this” close to a melt down. Here’s why:As you know I hate the dentist. Really hate. Terrified of a dropped drill and the ubiquitous “Oops” that is followed by “Suction please”. I would rather have a mammogram than a cleaning. Yes, I hate the experience that much.I, in the 7 years I have been married to Ali, have never met his mother. We also do not share a common language beyond my junior high school French and her 3 words of English (those being Melissa, Thank and You).On Monday – I had a root canal. Painful? Not at the time thanks to my little friend novocain. Unfortunately once dear Mr. Novocain had left the pain party in my mouth all that remained was pain – which Dr. Roto-Rooter had warned about. His answer to this was “Take 3 Advil.” My questions was “Where’s the ‘script for the drugs dude?” I guess he thought that since I wasn’t screaming in agony, I didn’t need no ‘script. Just wa Read more:Nervous
, Improvement
, Projects
, Home Improvement
Shopping! 2007-03-22 19:57:00 Shopping
! Originally uploaded by Misa Gracie. So we went shopping last night - have to get a whole bunch of stuff for Mama! We found an awesome sale at Sears and got her a very nice 5 piece luggage set for only $90!! I was amazed!We then hit GNC for some vitamins and supplements, Old Navy for some casual-around-the-house-wear and picked up some other stuff at Sears.Tonight we will stay in, I'm just too tired after my weekend freak-out to do any more or go any where. Sorry Mama, you'll get a glimpse of just how boreing our lives really are.This weekend we'll do more - I think I'll take her to The Butterfly Place to see a bit of spring. And it helps that I am quite familiar with "papillion" so we're golden.
And the winner is... 2007-03-26 04:49:00 Me!Like you couldn't have guessed. I took Maman to Square One and we hit all my usual stores, plus a few new ones. We got her hair done, picked up some dye so that I could work my magic at home. We also found some great deals! Today's tally includes 3 pairs of shoes, a new bag, two pancho style sweaters, a lounge suit (I hesitate to say active wear because she'll mostly be lounging in it), some lingere, a new necklace with two pair of matching earrings and a few necessary personal hygene products.We spent a whopping $275 - but that inculdes a round of bottled water and a pair of shoes for me...I'll just call it my personal shopper fee.We had a good time despite the lack of conversation. Read more:winner
Il n'a pas d'importance que nous ne parlions pas la langue pareille parce qu'il semble cela "charge it" est universel. 2007-03-25 16:14:00 The best plans are laid to waste when you're working with Ali. I had high hopes of taking lots of pictures while Maman is here. But, I left my camera at the office and now don't have time to go get it. Ali says it's no big deal so a special trip back into the city is not on the schedule of events for the weekend.I'll survive. *pout*Yesterday we went south shore to go shopping. We went to all of the places that Ali loves and I hate. He seems to find great bargains and I always seem to find nothing. I thought, she's his Maman so I will just keep my giant trap shut.We were given a giant example of just how I am always right and Ali shouldn't even bother to argue.We went to Filene's Basement. Now, for my Mama this place is magical. Back in it's heyday of a few years ago, it was a treasure trove of mark down designer brands and great hidden deals. I remember picking up a very nice Marc Jacobs bag for cheap money. Then Macy's entered the picture, purchased Filenes department stores Read more:charge
We eat leftovers cold, thank-you-very-much. 2007-03-28 19:29:00 There are little incidents throughout my day that often remind me of funny stories or bring about fond memories. It doesn’t happen all that often that someone will say something and it will bring up an image that actually makes me laugh out loud.You may, or may not know that I work in real estate. My days are filled with a diverse mixture of the mundane and inventive. I have loads of stories that I will tell if I am ever not in this industry but I want to keep my job so I keep my trap shut.Anyway, I had a conversation today that made me laugh as it brought to mind a funny story. Those that know me in the real world have probably heard this a million times. So we’ll make it a million and one, shall we?When Ali and I got married we lived in a large apartment building. It looked like a giant brick square and was affectionately called the “Prison Building”. It has maybe 60 or so units in the building, consists of four floors and everything is connected by a main common lobby in the
Dear #5, 2007-03-31 13:00:00 We all miss you. You were a comforting presence in the top row of solid alabaster soldiers. The first line of defense against giant invading chunks. You were good at pulverizing and slicing. Your absence is felt by us all.Why did you have to go?The others are all gossiping about you. #24 is certain that she's next and our assurances to the contrary are not being acknowledged. All she can do is look at the gaping hole you have left.We all know that the little flat, rough shell that is there now is not really you. The doctor drilled all that made you special down to nothing. Your neighbors even carry the pain of your demise and they are joyful no longer.I think that I miss you the most though. I keep wandering over to where you used to live and am freshly shocked that you are not there. What is left feels foreign to me and I don't like it one bit.I seem to have to work harder now to make sure nothing gets by me that still needs attention, wouldn't want to choke now would we?Oh no, she
Mischievous Midgets, Death by Sugar and other such happenings on a find Sunday in April 2007-04-01 21:14:00 I forgot that today was April
1st. How I could forget is beyond me.Most of my friends know that I have a pretty twisted sense of humor andfind most anything funny.Being that I hadn't made a singleattempt at making the most of this day of fools, I guess my mind justskipped it. Mentally I went from March 31st to April 2nd without even batting an eye.The mischievous midget had other plans.Ali got a call this morning at about 9:30. I was expecting it to be his morning wake-up call for soccer. Alas, it was not.Hebecame quite serious and began speaking in tones too low for his motherto hear. He knew that I couldn't really understand what he was sayingso he didn't even bother to leave the room. He forgot that he doesn'texactly have a poker face though.The second he hung up the phone I asked him what was wrong. Apparently Yacine and Saleh had gotten into a huge fight early this morning. About what, we didn't know. The long and short of it was that Yacine stormed out of the house with most Read more:Sugar
, Sunday
We've been duped!! 2007-04-02 21:23:00 March 2007 036 Originally uploaded by Misa Gracie. Ali says "Hey Maman, why don't you show Melissa how to make those almond cookies!"Maman says "Oui"Ali says "Hey Melissa, why don't you show Maman how to make that lemon cake and nutella cookies I love!"Melissa says "Okay"Then we spend several hours baking our hearts out... now Ali has nutella cookies, almont cookies and lemon cake. Nice job everyone. Prince Ali is happy and on a sugar binge. Great.
Dust off the cobwebs folks, cuz we're bringing back the memories! 2007-04-05 00:39:00 Melina posted what she remembered about the 80's, listing things that we once thought we would never forget, and sadly realize we have...So, she passed this torch on to me and this is my contribution to what I remember about the years from 1980 to 1989...Hulk Hogan was fierce, he was the champion. He could defeat any evil foe and didn't pander to the reality TV phenomenon. He was a wrestler along with others like Captain Lou Albano, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Jessie Ventura. Video games were an event. We couldn't sit and play them in the house unless we were going to be satisfied with Texas Instruments version of pong or asteroids. You had to go out to the arcade and play them using real quarters. Coke made a lame attempt to win the soda wars once and for all. It backfired terribly and the "New Coke" was only on the market for a few months but in the history books forever. Being a young girl in the 80's meant you wore more Aqua Net than clothes. Your hair never moved, you were wearing y Read more:folks
, memories
Communication is the Key 2007-04-03 18:35:00 and I am no locksmith...Being that Maman speaks very little - okay no - English, we have been reduced to sign language, mimicking and my spotty-at-best French. I've even used the few Arabic phrases I have managed to learn over the last several years like they mean something. Maman has been diligently reading her French/English dictionary and has learned to say how nice the weather is and other useful stuff like that. Pared with my "Where is the cheese?" French, we make quite a team!I find myself answering everything with Ca-va? Ca-va! Ca-va. Or Kifkif.I have begun to relish my time in the house alone when Ali and Maman go out to do something without me.Is this bad?Because I LOVE it so much. As in dance around in your underwear while singing loudly into your hairbrush Risky Business kind of love. I don't really do anything special but watch TV and veg out. When I say I LOVE it, I mean I am all giddy when I hear the words "Maman and I are going..." so much so that I don't care where t
Why, Thank you! It's all Maman's fault..really. 2007-04-05 19:26:00 Everyone has commented today that I look nice. I am wearing a nice jacket/pant suit that I haven't worn in ages... because I value comfort over style and I am fashionably impared.I admit it. Everyone knows it. I try to keep my forays into style as basic as possible, lest someone get injured.Ali checks me over when we go out to make sure I haven't committed some fashion faux-pas that would send the polite world reeling.To be honest, I tend to wear pants or skirts paired with comfortable, plain, cotton shirts and cardigans. I may resemble a pre-school teacher except for the fact that I will not wear holiday theme sweaters or anything involving "applique".Today I look like a business person for no other reason than I have terrible memory.Maman
has taken a liking to our washer/dryer (I think it's a novelty that will wear off, kind of like the kids that play with their new toys and then abandon them a few weeks later for their familliar favorites).She has taken to washing our laundry dai Read more:Thank
Oh No They Didn't! 2007-04-02 01:57:00 You simply must check this out.*NASCAR disclaimer - if you're a NASCAR fan, you may be offended. Please use caution when navigating to www.mulletjunky.com. Thank you.
The Return of Prohibition 2006-10-17 21:01:00 Seeing how well this plan of action worked with alcohol, it seems a good idea to include a host of other items deemed bad for the health and wellbeing of Americans.• Trans-fats - because we all know that donuts, French fries and deep fried oreo's are going to be the downfall of the American civilization.• Sweets and sodas in classrooms and lunchrooms - teaching America's youth that if you're fat, it's obviously something you were forced to purchase at the vending machine that did it, never mind the 10 hours of daily TV watching and video games that keep your pudgy butts glued to the couch instead of out riding your bike like a normal kid.• Placing your trash on the curb prior to midnight or after 7:00 am on the day of pick up because we all know that rodents and trash pickers are fast asleep during this time.American's have clearly shown that they can not be trusted to make a choice. We need our government to tell us not only what to eat, but how to cook it.Makes me Read more:Return
, Prohibition
How Nuts Are People?? About this much... 2006-09-18 23:29:00 This makes me crazy. It makes me want to slap someone - ala Cher in Moonstruck- *whack* "Snap Out Of It!".I fear they never will though. Why do people have to be so very completely crazy? How overly sensitive or publicity desperate must you be to take offense to this? Let's bomb a catholic church because the Pope dared quote someone who's been dead for centuries that insulted us! Arrgh!! Imagine if the Pope had mentioned the Holocaust and Jews everywhere cried for his head or bombed churches? As Susan Powter once said "Stop The Insanity!".I happen to love a Muslim man very much. He is a tinge crazy sometimes, but then again, so am I. We have our issues and we work them through. He can be very stubborn and that makes for an interesting evening at home when you think about how stubborn I can be when I am convinced I am right. The one thing we agree on is this: There will never be actual, practicing, happening, real time peace in the Middle East. Not unless there are some m
Rubbish Gate 2006, part 2 2006-08-28 17:08:00 Okay, so I got an email response from the BHCA at 4:15pm on Friday. Good way to get a weekend reprieve. Anyway, the email is below, and as always, names have been removed to protect the incompetent.From : Beacon Hill Civic Assn. Sent : Friday, August 25, 2006 4:16 PMTo : Misa GracieCC : Chair of the Clean Beacon Hill Committe, VP of Neighborhood AffairsSubject : RE: Trash collection rulesAttachment : MembershipForm.doc (0.07 MB)Ms. Gracie,The BHCA, after conducting a survey of Beacon Hill residents, worked with the City in 2000 to institute a pilot program requiring residents to place trash outside on the same day as pick-up and in approved containers (i.e. standard garbage bags as opposed to supermarket shopping bags or the like). The theory behind this initiative was that the less time trash spends sitting on our curbs, the cleaner our neighborhood would ultimately be, by limiting not only the rodent population but also trash pickers and bottle collectors as well. Both the pre-p
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