You’ve got to be kidding me. Not only is this thing off the wall hideous… but it’s Christmas decorations up for sale on September 13th. Unreal.

btw: we bought Xmas lights. They were on sale.

It looks like Blu-Ray is coming out on top…  I’m feeling a lot better about our purchase of a PS3 and enjoying it’s Blu-Ray-ness.  Typically - whatever I purchase goes the direction of Beta.  :-\  I’m hopeful that Blu will top HD.

Btw - the image quality is absolutely amazing!  I actually feel like my TV is inferior for only being 1080i and not 1080p.  Me thinks a tv upgrade is in the future.  ;-)  So…  what do I do with a gently used 52″ 1080i projection TV?  It’s a bit big to go in the bedroom lol.

I just did ALL my xmas shopping at once via amazon.com.  Whole kit.  Everything.  In my boxers.  Ok - so that last part might have been TMI but whatever.

The end total was…  um…  scary.  But, it’s done.  Good news = it will be here before xmas.  Great news = shipping was crazy cheap ($20 for a crud-ton of “stuff”).  Awesome news = many hundreds of $’s spent with no tax.

The internet is cool.  This is so going to catch on! 

Ok…  a bit early.  But.  I decided to treat myself to some new toys.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sigma EF-530 DG ST Electronic Flash

Ooooo…  I can’t wait.  Should arrive sometime early next week.  I’ll report back on the level of love I have for these & perhaps some sample pic’s.

:: gimme gimme gimme ::

I hate waiting for shipping.

I’ve spent a total of ~ 6 hours decorating.  I’m beat.  Exhausted.  Beyond tired.  Sadly, I’m only about 80% done..  I’m definitely finishing this up later this weekend.  Remind me to tell you about my Black Friday experience later.  :: yawn :: I have just enough energy to…

flower cat anus, originally uploaded by oceanpark.

Wow… I can’t believe this made it out of marketing.

At the gas station filling up… ($46, btw!!)

Decide I want some coffee - some of y’all may know I’m a fan of it.

Choose my brew - wait in line - I’m next.  Rockin’.

The girl behind the counter is, in my mind, clearly a cute little goth girl - heavy dark makeup, black clothing, lots of piercings, etc…

The lady in front of me is paying for her sundries and comments, ahem, “Hmm… love it!  But aren’t you dressed for halloween a few days early?!”

Goth Girl is mortified and upset.

I’m doing everything I can to hold back immense laughter.  I’m failing at this as giggles are coming out as I’m trying desperately to suddenly find interest in the coffee in my hand.

Sheltered-Suburban-Cary-Soccer-Mom-Housewife-#1 instantly realized her error and held her head down in shame as she reluctantly accepted her change and bolted out the door in fear that Goth Girl would hex her children with a satanic curse.

Now me…  I’m still giggling.  I approach with my coffee and a huge smile and tell Goth Girl: “Soccer Moms’ll never learn… I think you look awesome.”

With a smile and a flick of the wrist she told me thanks and the coffee was on the house. 
Lesson of the day:  Never assume anything.

Ancillary lesson of the day:  Coffee is awesome.

Yesterday I reaffirmed my love for Discount Tire.  I put a new set onto my car and the entire process was amazing…  from ordering via website, scheduling my appointment, calling the store and speaking with a great guy to reschedule, and being in and out of the shop in 20 minutes.  I will forever and always go back.  Thanks! 
Now… if I can just remember to go back every 5-6,000 miles for my free balance & rotation!  Someone yell at me in a couple of months & remind me.

So I’ve been back from vacation for a little over a week and… wow. It feels like the world piled up all the “fun” and saved it for my return! That’s not entirely true, though - the boys & girls at work had quite the week in my absence. Anyway. I will *attempt* to share some of my vacation ’stories’ in the next day or so… I know y’all’ll wish ya were with us once you hear them! lol Until then… enjoy the pictures!!

That’s not the *only* excitement! Yesterday I drank the kool-aid. I fell into the marketing. I became one of “them”. I bought an iPhone. All I can do to sum it up is to say that “I love it.” Some minor nuances exist that prevent it from being completely perfect… the headset jack is all wonky - a bit of plastic on my headset plug has to be shaved away. It does not record video. It attacks finger prints like crazy (not sure if this is a flaw of the product or because everyone just wants to touch it). It’s *only* 8gb. Pfft… the iTouch has a 16gb model - - why can’t the iPhone have 16gb? Or… larger?!All that aside. I love it. The user interface is amazing and the integration of YouTube and Google is very impressive.

Alrighty - I have run out of time to post… I’m dripping work that needs to get done. Ta!

…new shoes. yum.

Yeah sorry… worthless post.

Just sharing my new purchase excitement.