Happy New Year!

I know, I'm late. Even for Chinese New Year.

Been mulling over firing up this old thing again. Also considering dusting off my Tagalog and creating another mirror blog, in the mother tongue this time, with help from Google Translate. They simplify my process, I turn in my edits to improve their translation database, and everyone wins.

I'm 30 now. And I Twitter now. Other than that, nothing new to report, really.

~*~*~*

Would it be tacky to wear these shoes for July 4th? I wanted them for Obama's Inauguration, but thought of it too late.


Pleaser Electra

$53.97 at Summit Fashions, from $90.99

The search for red tartan plaid heels

On Black Friday I glimpsed pointy shoes and bright red plaid, but before I could inquire as to their provenance they vanished in the throng of deal-hungry shoppers. I'm not sure, but they might have been these:



Sugar Fergie Flat
$25.30(53% off - was $54.00) at 6pm.com

And so it is that in the spirit of the Christmas season I find myself looking for red tartan plaid high-heeled shoes that speak to me.

These are my ideal plaid shoe, but I can't find them anywhere:

Sam Edelman Lady Red Plaid Pump with Bow
$34.98 before it was out of stock at SmartBargains.com

~*~*~*


And so I'm stuck with fetish footwear like:







Pleaser red plaid mary jane
$34.99 from $50.74
You Save: $15.75 (31%)
From seller Costume Alibi via Amazon.com

or, God forbid, these numbers




Lucious red plaid and lucite 6" sandals
$53 from $82.15 (35% off)
Pinupshoes.com

~*~*~*

Even though the rugged materials are an incongruous combination with that height of heel, I do rather like the look of these:




KORS MICHAEL KORS Women's Stream
$295.00 With Free Shipping
Shoes.com

I wonder then if I shouldn't throw all regard for style to the winds and get these:




Sugar Women's Rockband Grande
$90.00 With Free Shipping
Shoes.com

living as if

Wasn't that my blog title at one point?

~*~*~*

"The thing is to Live As If. Live As If you were truly free. Live As If you were surrounded by intelligent, capable people. Live As If your decisions mattered in the general scheme of things. Live As If art, literature, music, the cinema really mattered. Live As If other people were just like you. I don’t mean you should tiptoe through the tulips and delude yourself that everything is wonderful. I mean you must resist. I mean you must not let idiots dictate how you live your life. Stupidity is a given; do not hold yourself back because you think you’re surrounded by it. Do not give in to the tyranny of surveys, trends, and conventional wisdom. You are the product of millions of years of evolution. Organisms mutated, survived, adapted over eons, against huge odds, so that you can be what you are now. Honor your species."

Jessica Zafra
Jessica Rules the Universe

Metallica fan?

Check out the Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festical gydget I've just added. Include it on your own page and you just might win VIP tickets!

An Uncharacteristic Green Note

Check out how long each of these products take to decompose in the environment…

Banana Peel: 3-4 weeks
Paper Bag: 1 month
Cotton Rag: 5 months
Wool Sock : 1 year
Lumber : 10-15 years
Tinned Steel Can: 80-100 years
Aluminum Can : 200-500 years (But if recycled, it can be reused within 6 weeks!)
Disposable Diapers: 500-600 years
Plastic Bags : 1 million years
Glass : Unknown
Styrofoam: Eternity

Knowing this, I was surprised to have a friend point out the friendly little recyclable logo on the bottom of a Styrofoam plate. But recycling centers for polystyrene plastics such as Styrofoam and Thermocol are not common.

The truth is, if you aren't sorting your trash and shipping off your recyclables to recycling centers, then recyclability and the decomposition rates posted above do not apply. Your garbage is going to a landfill somewhere, where biodegradation slows to a snail's pace, if it occurs at all. I'm sure you've heard about the 20-year-old newspapers, excavated from a landfill, that were still legible.

What's the holdup? Well, for one thing safety and economy trump decomposition rates in landfill construction, and for another, the presence of recyclables slows the biodegradation process. National Geographic estimates that U.S. landfills consist of 40% to 50% paper waste, 20% to 30% construction debris, and 1.2% disposable diapers.

So please,

Reduce,
Reuse,
Recycle.

Currently...

Still depressed.

Watching: Jeff Dunham's Arguing With Myself and Spark of Insanity; Ugly Betty.

Listening to: Sara Bareilles, Josef, Bryan Adams, plus the usual: Nickelback, Daughtry, Matchbox Twenty.

Excited about: (or, as much as you can be when the overriding feeling is still detached, depressed, hopeless)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age; Exile on Mainstream; the next Ugly Betty disk from Netflix.

Wanting:













a Matchbox Twenty USB wristband of their album, even though I don't need it;















a Rob Thomas tee, which I may just get away with wearing at work;

This house, even though it's been ebby.com forever and the price keeps going up;

A limited edition Lagerfeld Steinway grand

~*~*~*

Been asked what's wrong, why I'm not "the usual happy Farah". What the fuck. What makes people think I'm happy? What makes them think they know me at all? They think because they see me every day, and I'm singing, that it's all sunshine and good cheer. I'm short with customers and coworkers both. It's all I can do not to cuss anybody out. I really don't want to be anywhere but at home.

135 lbs, a light weight attributable to lost muscle mass. Haven't been back to the gym since weeks before Inventory. My clothes are just as snug and I'm tired and achy all the time.

I made arroz caldo tonight, the first time in a long time. Yesterday it was Manwiches, which it's true are not like my sloppy joes. Not better or worse, just different. And easier.


On a friend's recommendation I got an adorable iFlops Monkey to replace my speakers at work. I haven't decided on a name yet.













I want new shoes, red ones. None have really grabbed me yet, though. I don't know if I want to dress up for Halloween this year.

I was surfing ToysRus.com and found this pic.

B-Daman Battle Basic Figure: Wing Ninjaby:

Yeah, okay. So my mind is in the gutter. I get that. But really now.

Download iTunes 7.2 here!

iTunes 7.3.1 has a glitch. It does not recognize blank DVDs for backing up your library. It will look like it's reading it, initialize burning, then eject the disc and request a blank DVD. Over and over.

Solutions?

A. Back up to CD, or

B. Downgrade to 7.2 until they solve this issue.

1. Uninstall 7.3.1:
Quit iTunes.
On the Start menu, click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, open Add or Remove Programs.
Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Remove.
When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.

2. Download 7.2 from oldapps.com
Run the download to install, then get happy backing up!

i'm not going to lie.

I was heartbroken that Melinda didn't make it into the American Idol finale.

Quite frankly, I don't care who wins now. I watched avidly this whole season, looking forward to the next new performance by the backup singer who'd finally decided to step into the spotlight. I wish you the best of luck, Melinda. Can't wait to get your first album!!!

I lurk on her fansite: Melinda Fans

YouTube Highlights of AI Season Six:

Melinda Doolittle, "I Believe in You and Me"

Jordin Sparks, "A Broken Wing"

Blake Lewis, "You Give Love a Bad Name"

Lakisha Jones, "This Ain't a Love Song"

Gina Glocksen, "Call Me When You're Sober"

Loved her too! Reviewing the video, I found myself wishing she were a better singer. Maybe in time...

This day, the 16th of April 2007, a Monday:

~ 33 die in Virginia Tech shooting rampage

~ Mandla Mandela reclaims the traditional leadership role his grandfather renounced

~ Patrick and I mark our sixth year of marriage.

Happy anniversary to us.

CNBC.com's Million-dollar portfolio challenge

My portfolio's been doing...alright, these past few days. Last week I'd invested $250k and, with about $750k in cash I was in the top 31% of players. By Monday, having spent all my money, I was down to the top 83rd.

Having offloaded some losers and bought up Zoltec (ZOLT), SanDisk (SDK), and Fremont (FMT), I've risen to the 57th percentile.

~*~*~*

In other news, I'm sort of in a fashion show at the Hyatt Regency this Saturday. And, I want these shoes:


Dune Pancake

Currently 75 British pounds, or 105 euros
Via Shoewawa.

PS- Tomorrow is free iced coffee day at Dunkin'. Enjoy!

Who wants to be a millionaire?

If you top CNBC's upcoming stock trading game, you could win a million bucks. Lemme know if you're interested, and I'll send you a referral invite. Registration deadline is March 5th.

The Right Questions

Currently reading:
The Right Questions: Ten Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life
by Debbie Ford

Salient points: The Right Questions

1. Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring future… or will it keep me stuck in the past?
You are either moving forward or you are moving backward. There is no middle ground.

2. Will this choice bring me long-term fulfillment… or will it bring me short-term gratification?
It is vital that we recognize and tend to our unmet needs, lest they drive us to forsake our long-term vision in favor of short-term gratification. Allow yourself to give up something you want, for something you want more.

3. Am I standing in my power… or am I trying to please another?
In order to stand fully in our own power, we have to become comfortable with confrontation. We have to give ourselves permission to rock the boat and make waves. We must trust that it is more important that we stand up for ourselves than that we gain the approval of others.

4. Am I looking for what’s right… or am I looking for what’s wrong?
Finding fault with others is the lazy person's out. By focusing on what's wrong, we avoid taking responsibility. Looking for what's right opens our hearts and allows us to live in a state of gratitude for what we have.

5. Will this choice add to my life force… or will it rob me of my energy?
We are either growing or dying, expanding for contracting. Our life force is our connection to our passion and our vitality. When our life force is strong we exude the brilliance and beauty of our true nature.

6. Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve… or will I use it to beat myself up?
"Life is a teacher to the wise man, and an enemy to the fool."

7. Does this choice empower me… or disempower me?
When you make choices that empower you, you experience a deep inner knowing that you are exactly where you need to be. When you are moving full speed in the direction of your desires, taking action, letting go, and being in perfect alignment with the universe, you are empowering yourself and your life.

8. Is this an act of self-love… or is it an act of self-sabotage?
When you love yourself you feel worthy and deserving of claiming the gifts of this world. It gives you the confidence to stand up and ask for what you want. It means making choices that you feel good about on a day-to-day basis...being proud of your choices and your actions.

9. Is this an act of faith… or is it an act of fear?
Fear shuts us down, while faith opens us up. If we choose to live in faith, we will be blessed with the support and the partnership of the universe.

10. Am I choosing from my divinity… or am I choosing from my humanity?
We all have the ability to access our divinity and share it with the world. Coming from the perspective of our divinity means that we consciously access the highest place within ourselves before making choices that will affect ourselves, others, and the world.

I wanna be Dita Von Teese when I grow up

Except for the whole "marrying shock rocker Marilyn Manson" bit. Truth be told, the ebony waves I sport are a nod to the burlesque goddess. She is classy and confident, gorgeous and voluptuous, alluring yet demure -- a captivating performer who makes grown men yip and trill. Not to mention her fabulous lingerie and footwear.


Martini glass routine (not for gentle eyes)

Yes, Cameron in the glass in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" is an homage of sorts.

AskMen.com feature
Wiki article

the wake of Typhoon Durian

Via Yahoo News:
Philippines declares state of calamity after mudslide tragedy
Red Cross: Asia storm toll may hit 1,000

Via CNN.com:
Typhoon death toll may be 'thousands'

Typhoon Durian is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in the past three months. One more is expected before the year's end. Albay, the province hit the hardest, is right next door to my hometown of Iriga City.



Photo from Wikipedia article on Iriga City

My thanks goes out to the governments of Canada, Japan, and the United States, as well as to Netherlands Red Cross for pledging funds to aid relief efforts.

I couldn't help but notice that the funeral home in one of the CNN videos is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Salvacion: the Virgin Mary, "Our Lady of Salvation". God, You know I don't pray. But this once, "Your will be done" doesn't quite cut it. In case You simply forgot, please remember us in that little corner of the world.

aishwarya rai

Miss World 1994

Official site
All-Pictures-Photos Gallery
Wiki article



Ugly dots my foot. Isn't she gorgeous?

Now *that's* a dedication.

It's 5 a.m., and I haven't been able to sleep, but this brought tears to my eyes.

From the Wiki article on lyricist Howard Ashman:

"Ashman died on March 14, 1991, at age 40, during the making of both 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin'. Ashman and Menken had finished the songs for 'Beauty and the Beast', but Tim Rice was brought in to finish Aladdin songs with Menken. 'Beauty and the Beast' was dedicated to him with the following:

To our friend, Howard,
Who gave a mermaid her voice,
and a beast his soul.
We will be forever grateful.
Howard Ashman
1950-1991"

first workout today

I put it off for as long as I could. I felt unwell, lost my water bottle, and forgot my hair tie, my iPod and my socks, but I went anyway. And was actually better for it. Forty minutes on the treadmill and twenty minutes of stretching.

I felt very much like a little girl lost amongst all the unfamiliar machines, even though Christian -- the fitness guy who toured me around -- had been kind enough to demonstrate some of them on my first visit. I hope tomorrow's meeting with Caroline will help me get my bearings.

The girls want to celebrate Thanksgiving on Wednesday, in skirtsuits and boots, with mole and leche flan and homemade salsa. I was thinking about bringing carrot-raisin salad too but I'm starting to think I won't even have time to make the flan tomorrow.

Today's Dove chocolate fortune reads, "Sometimes one smile means more than a dozen roses." Though these days if I want to smile, all I need to remember is:

"Peet stop?"

Photo courtesy of the official "Cars" website.

Casino Royale

It's not the Bond movie you're expecting. It's missing the silly busty girls and high-tech gadgets and is a little longish and gritty.

No real review here, just quick observations that are mostly irrelevant and/or distracting to someone planning on watching.

* Daniel Craig isn't my idea of Bond, but supposedly he's most true to Ian Fleming's vision. Personally, I think he looks like he might be Clinton Kelly's rugged, athletic older brother. It's those blue eyes. What do you think?




Clinton Kelly, of TLC's What Not to Wear




Daniel Craig, 007

* He does have a rather nice derriere, best featured when he was hanging from the tank truck at the airport.

* If you haven't guessed from the photo, the girls aren't as buxom or brainless. Nor do they have silly names.

* He drives up to the hotel in the Bahamas in a Ford. 007. In a Ford. I know.

* Chirs Cornell (of Audioslave, and formerly Soundgarden) wrote and sang the opening track, "You Know My Name".

~*~*~*

In other news I was googling Michael Schumacher and found this video clip of a sexy girl named Alizee wriggling in a black bodysuit. Fuzzy logic or something, go figure. Near the end she does the WoW female night elf dance. Enjoy, boys.

Jen Ai Marre

a friendly warning for fellow sporting dog owners

There's a reason why last last Saturday's theme song was "Bent".

We gave Cocoa a bath with water that was colder than usual, after which she developed "cold water tail". She was in pain for the first few days, uneasy for the next week, and finally back to 100% today.

DO NOT BATHE YOUR DOG IN WATER THAT IS TOO HOT OR TOO COLD. That is all.