An Arizona Cheesehead's Thoughts

I can't help myself - the butterfly is just meant to migrate. I had really good intentions of staying near home this year. I travelled a LOT last year and spent a bunch of money doing it. My focus for 2008 was to put aside some of the cash instead and do some more relaxing near the homestead. Yeah, that plan's not working out so well. This month, I've gone to Tucson (just for an overnight) and spent a long weekend in Rocky Point. Next month, I'm going to Las Vegas for the NASCAR race. Beginning of May brings PHINS To The West in Laughlin At some point, we're planning a music scouting weekend in Southern California. And, today I just booked a flight to Salt Lake City in June. Hey, Lewie's going to be on leave and there was a sale on airfare so why the hell not. I saved $60! Hmmm, wonder what's going on in Minnesota and Iowa?

I had my first "I hate this mac" moment yesterday. When I got back from lunch, the machine was completely frozen and I had to hard boot it. Fortunately, I'd saved everything before I'd left. When I told the mac lovers, they were of one thought about the issue. That one thought was that I had done something wrong. Um, no, I hadn't. Unless you consider using the stupid thing in the first place wrong. In all of the years that I've had my Dell laptop, it's never frozen up on me like that. Next time it happens (and I'm sure there will be a next time) with the macbook, I'm going to make them all come over and see it then ask them to explain why the so-called superior machine is stuck.

Part of my company's mission statement is "improve world health". Our CEO is an MD and his wife is a DDS so they're pretty much into the healthy stuff and walk the talk. There's been a lot done over the past few years. We banned smoking on company property but offered on-site smoking cessation classes. When our newest building went up, a gym was put in. We've had Weight Watchers and now Kronos weight management classes on-site. There's a Yoga/Pilates class on some afternoons in my building. Last year, they implemented a policy that you had to get your teeth cleaned or pay a premium on your health insurance. All good stuff. But, they've gone too far. The latest "helping us to be healthy" decision is to phase out all of the "junk" food from the vending machines. They're now loaded with various types of baked chips, pretzels, granola bars, and animal crackers. The only chocolate left are dark M&Ms and chocolate covered ...

It's mac versus PC at my work, big time Sugar Daddy and our VP are mac boys, I'm a PC girl and EVERYONE knows it and is well aware we are steadfastly determined to back our machines since we argue about it quite a bit. Most of the time, we can get several other people to chime in on the subject. Geeks argue hardware and operating systems just as passionately as others do religion and politics. I gave my PC brethren a scare, though. I actually have had a brand new macbook on my desk this week and I've been working on it. Oh, not to do any real work. Cuz you can't unless you're in the Creative department. I'm editing our year-end employee of the year presentation in iMovie . So far, there's only been one small episode of Tourette's during the process. I have to admit, the new machine is up to the task. The last film I edited was two years ago on a G4 and I almost threw the thing down several flights of stairs. (Fortunately for the machine, I...

I'm on the Phoenix Art Museum's email list and they send me all kinds of notices about exhibits, classes, films and lectures. Most of the time, I think, "That would be interesting" then I delete the email. I'm just too busy. However, they were doing a lecture on Richard Avedon and something made me say, "I need to make time to go to this one". I'd caught Avedon's In The American West series years ago but I really still thought of him as a fashion/portrait photographer. I also didn't know anything about him personally. So, I emailed my pal Chris who's also into photography and we made the plan to attend. The lecture was given by David A. Ross who knew Avedon , or Dick as he called him, for 25 years. I knew I was going to like the guy when he started out joking about the Florida primaries then celebrated that Guiliani is out of the race. Ross came across as a guy I'd like to have a beer and BS with. It was really fascinating. Avedo...

I love (other people's) babies. They're so warm and snuggly and I don't think there's a prettier sight in the world than seeing a baby sleep. I can watch them for hours. I got to see my friend Stacey's new baby tonight. She's 9 weeks old and cute as can be (and Stacey will be the first to tell you that). We played chick poker at their house and I was the first to arrive. The baby was in her seat on the dining room table and I made some faces and tickled her. As soon as Stacey was out of the room, I told the baby I was freeing her and broke her out of the seat. Chris showed up and I offered to hand the baby over (even thought I didn't want to). She got fussy pretty quickly so Chris passed her back. The key to keeping a baby happy is to keep them moving. I did a lot of swaying back and forth and some light jiggling and all was well. Princess in training. Apparently, she's kinda fussy for a lot of people (inculding family members) but loved me. That didn...

There's a Buffett song called Last Man Standing and it's become my party motto. Unless I hit a wall and put myself to bed, I'm one of the last people up partying no matter how late it gets. I don't want to miss any of the fun and I certainly don't want people to think I'm not up the challenge of hanging. Catnip is just like me. We have spent many evenings carrying on until the morn. He's actually outlasted me a few times. Pirate Rick and Julie are like us in that regard, too. Annette? Not so much with the staying up. She goes to bed but she's added a new trick to it so we don't know for sure if she's bailing. She makes herself a drink so we think she's staying up but then she sneaks off. The Rocket Scientist has a strict 10 PM bedtime on school nights but he's been known to stay up with the rest of us on party nights. OK, background out of the way, here's the story. We had stopped at the border to get some liquor and Pirate Rick and ...

Pirate Rick is a camera ho with uncanny instincts. You just have to turn the lense in his general direction and he's "on". And by "on", I mean he's posing with the full cheesy smile. It doesn't even matter if the picture is supposed to include him or not...see below: Nice picture of The Rocket Scientist and Mark Mulligan, isn't it?

Kelly McGuire and Sammy I've been thinking about getting an acoustic bass. They sound great and I think it would be a cool instrument to learn. Not that I have any rhythm or musical talent so I'm sure I wouldn't actually be good but I can dream. Sunday afternoon in Rocky Point, we took in Kelly McGuire's show. Our own Sammy joined him on stage for a few songs which was great. It was a beautiful afternoon, Kelly was very entertaining (and his girls keep getting younger and younger) and we had a wonderful time. I was totally enthralled with Kelly's guitar during the entire show. He borrowed it from the guitar player in his band. The top piece comes off so it's perfect for travel. It sounds awesome, too! Might have to spend some of my tax return money on one of those guitars and the bass may have to wait...

Here's a picture from my last trip to Rocky Point. It was taken on the roof of Senor Amigo's. It was nice and open with a big palapa on it. The tables and chairs were plastic and it was very casual and fun. The downstairs was pretty much the same but without the palapa . We went there this weekend and it's all changed. The entire top floor is covered so no tables in the sun anymore. The downstairs is enclosed and fancy schmancy . Here's a picture: All wood and fancy tile and, well, dang, not what it used to be at all! OK, the food was still good but the whole atmosphere has changed. Progress is not always positive.

Alert the media - Mark Mulligan actually has a butt! Not only that, but it's pretty nice, too. I've known Mark for years and we've actually discussed his butt on a few occasions . Well, we discussed his lack of one, to be honest. He usually wears shorts and they always look a little baggy because he doesn't really have a lot of material back there to fill them out. So, we're down in Rocky Point and Mark was wearing jeans on Friday night (along with a pretty snazzy shirt). I don't think I've ever seen him in long pants. I gotta tell you, he looked good! I felt compelled to take a picture. I also felt compelled to stop and look at the picture every time I scrolled through what was on my camera. The Rocket Scientist actually busted me on it. What can I say? There's something about a man in Wranglers...

For those wondering how the red hair looks without the pirate hat... This is a pic from my past weekend in Rocky Point. Stories to follow...

The Rocket Scientist and I went out to Rula Bula (local Irish pub) last night. Apparently, Wednesday is Pub Quiz night which is so popular that all the inside tables were reserved. The hostess told us we could sit outside and that there were heaters so we decided to go for it. The lure of Guinness was that strong. It wasn't too bad at first but I swear they moved the heater further away at some point. The wind was gusting through strong enough to send coasters flying off the bar. OK, they were only the thick paper ones, but still. Hunkering down in my leather jacket wasn't keeping me warm enough so I finally had to break out the gloves. We left after two beers and some cold fish and chips (cold because of the weather, I think they were actually warm when we got served) and headed to a toasty warm bookstore. It was probably in the low 40s which sounded really cold to me until I got the weather report from Dawnie for Des Moines: Friday Night: mostly cloudy in the evening th...

You Go For Brains! You want a guy with a big... brain. And of course it would be nice if he were a total hottie, but you're not counting on it. What's on the inside is what counts for you. (Besides, you can always change the outside later!) Do You Go For A Guy's Brains or Body?

You Are Not Scary Everyone loves you. Isn't that sweet? How Scary Are You?

Your Inner European is Italian! Passionate and colorful. You show the world what culture really is. Who's Your Inner European? The Rocket Scientist made a comment about how that description matches my hair...he will pay, oh yes, he will pay.

Guys Like That You're Charming You're the girl most guys can't get out of their heads Even if they met you on a bad hair day :-) You just seem to "click" with everyone you meet So even if a guy forgets about you for a second... his friends haven't! What Do Guys Like About You?

You Are a Bit Prissy From time to time you can be a princess, but these days, who isn't a little high maintenance? You know what you want, and you're definitely not afraid to ask for it. (Just refrain from having a temper tantrum if you don't get your way!) There's nothing wrong with having high standards... as long as they're occasionally low enough to allow spontaneity and fun! How Prissy Are You?

You Are 20% Sociopath You're empathetic, loyal, and introspective. In other words, there's no way you're a sociopath... but you can spot one pretty easily! Are You A Sociopath?

You Are A Realist When it comes to romance, you tend to take a realistic approach. You believe that love takes time, and it's something you have to work hard for. A bit cynical, over the top romance tends to get under your skin. Your heart is difficult to win ... but it's totally worth it. Are You Romantic or Realistic?