Corporate Speak Got You Down?

Holy cats, people. This article is absolutely quack-tastic: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7457287.stm

Major kudos to the BBC, they've outdone themselves (not so unusual).
An acquaintance at work floated this to me the other day, and I was weeping with gratitude.

Now whether your office is partial to terms such as "challenges" or "low-hanging fruit" [mine is, and I shudder every time I hear it! I picture punk-y kids vandalizing with clubs and punching people in the gonads.], the above piece is a must-read. This article brings up so many more anger-making phrases that the people who coined them should be publicly humiliated by being made to wander the streets naked while being pummeled with dictionaries.

I think this is my favorite:

"My employers recently informed staff that we are no longer allowed to use the phrase brain storm because it might have negative connotations associated with fits. We must now take idea showers."

It doesn't get any better than that, my friends.

How My Body Rejected Arizona

It's true, Arizona & I aren't friends. It's too bad, 'cause there were some things i really liked about Az, that i would consider to visit again except that that space turned me into a mucus monster (so pretty!). i have never, in my life, experienced such a negative physical response to a space.

and it wasn't as if i wasn't prepared, i had allergy meds, nasal steroids and advil galore! additionally i added the netti pot and other homeopathic remedies that finally began to work by Monday morning, yes, the day we left.

other than that, the time was lovely! met lots of interesting people, played with cameras and got to hang out with my best pal for three days. uber-nice, right? --oh, and i didn't get sunburned, miraculously! (as that really would have added insult to injury).

so if you plan to visit the south west & you already suffer from occasional allergies, i recommend going with a battalion of weapons to combat that desert air. ooh, and a preemptive strike is also a wise idea.

Jack's 1st Birthday -

Well, there were fajitas, margaritas, banana pudding & doggie cupcakes.

In short, it was a lovely time.

Jack was absolutely spoiled, as gifts were lavished upon him.
Of course, his favorite that day remained to be his old, icky blue tennis ball , but since then he has been rotating playtime with all of his new, squeaky-toy friends.

So, even though it was a tad cuckoo, the doggie b-day was a success, and ultimately really about the peeps that came to visit! Thanks to all the rockin' peeps that rallied for this momentous occasion (either in person or in spirit!).

(*And yes, that is my dog, in a SC visor, eating his doggie cupcake.)

Got towed?

Ah, if only it was this warm & fuzzy; to get towed.

So last night i was visiting a pal who lives in Park La Brea. We totally forgot the time, but apparently PLB's security didn't. When i wandered out to the parking lot at 12:20 AM something was missing, my car. OOPS.

So i get it, i screwed up. So i go speak to the security guard, who is very put out by my dilemma. (sor-ry i had to interrupt your music-listening session and you have to work for 2 minutes, jeez!) He found it necessary to point out the signage about towing to me, as if i was illiterate. My response was something like (and controlled, i swear!) "I understand. I just need to fix this." I guess he was bracing for a fight, but honestly it was my mistake, so let's get on with it. I get the address of the towing company, which is over on Mansfield, South of Santa Monica/East of La Brea. I'm currently at 6th & Hauser, awesome.

And with that i hit the pavement. Hey, i'm a DIY kinda gal.

About 10 minutes later & i'm almost to Melrose, i get a call from my pal. So i'm chatting while power-walking up Martel & he notices i'm breathing a bit heavier than normal.

I get the question "Are you walking to your car...?"

"Uhm, yeah, kinda." [i am not a good liar when asked point blank & it's 12:45 in the AM]

"What do you mean, 'kinda?'"

"Well, uh, funny story. It seems my car was towed, so i'm just walking to the impound."

Let the games being! After much arguing, guilt tripping & being called "a crazy lady" for about five minutes, i acquiesce & let him pick me up & drive me to the car-pound. (I think it was the "i'm gonna get in my car & just start circling the streets" is what got me. and i was too tired to continue negotiating!)

So soon after my white steed arrived (in the shape of a Celica!) and off we went to find my poor car.

By 1:20 AM i had my car (139 smack-er-oos later!) and was on my way home, thanks to my hero!

And so I'm hoping my dumbness has been semi-entertaining & also moral-filled: read signs.

(of course anyone living in LA for more than 5 minutes knows this, but i guess i've gotten complacent! not anymore.)