05.04.10
Posted in Family, Off the cuff at 9:00 am by loretta
Literally. Keith found a sale on DNA testing from 23 and Me, so he ordered two kits for us. After an amount of saliva that was both small seeming, but a long time to generate, we popped our samples into the mail. I am very impressed with their concern for confidentiality and privacy. I read their entire (yes, entire) user agreement and privacy statements, because I feel it’s crucial when dealing with something so personal. They have an effective screen that prevents the lab from learning whose sample is whose. I’m not sure “double blind” is the correct term, but it’s a strongly confidential system.
They are remarkably enlightened in their forthrightness and cautions. For instance, they caution that the information discovered may be upsetting, e.g. genetic markers for cancer don’t mean you have, or will even get, cancer – they’re merely an indicator that you might. The most enlightened part of the cautions recommends that we not share any of the information with anyone else, no matter how innocuous the information may seem. Because, they say, that as technology advances, seemingly innocuous information may become very telling, you never know.
So, while I will learn a lot about myself, I shan’t be sharing. ;^P
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04.12.10
Posted in Family, Off the cuff at 10:50 am by loretta
I need to clean up the sewing supplies in the library, so we can get it ready for Keith’s parents to arrive Tuesday. To this effect, I repacked the totes of fabric and began stacking them in the closet. To my dismay, I find that there are two too many for the usual tower of totes.
Excavating the other side of the closet led to some interesting and strange discoveries, including a plastic grocery bag with packing peanuts and markers in it, and several empty Valentine’s chocolate boxes. Two are rather nice, but the third, not so much.
The extra totes fit in there, but now I have to figure out what to do with all this other random stuff…
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04.10.10
Posted in Off the cuff at 2:48 pm by loretta
Camera etched. Interval controls figured out eventually… Now there will be tweaking to see which setting or settings work best for the cat. While I like the picture of the other cat under the truck, I don’t really like the flash.
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03.21.10
Posted in Fun, Off the cuff at 12:33 pm by loretta
I get this every once in a while, when I’m stressed. I hyper-focus on one project. Usually it’s not the project I’m supposed to be working on.
I’ve been working on a fit-and-flare dress pattern for quite a while. Too long, I decided, so I finalized a test pattern, cut, basted, and fit it in recycled denim, and recut and sewed until finished. The denim “frankendress” is casually wearable, but not quite where I want the pattern. So I will try again with a print. And again, until I get it right, or Keith’s parents show up.
I want to have a finished project.
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03.16.10
Posted in Off the cuff at 12:32 pm by loretta
My day was making a fist, specifically around my gut. I have no idea what I ate that caused it, but my insides were unhappy intermittently throughout the day. Very distracting. I did finish my dress mock-up. It needs fine tuning: the decolletage is a little too low for the underpinnings, and my hips aren’t as wide as the degree I altered the pattern. Can you have a jodhpur dress? @_@ I’m pretty sure I’ll also want real sleeves.
I also have a weird relationship with writing, which is currently hobbling me. I have three questionnaires I need to finish up. Direct application knocks the words out of my head, so I have to take glancing runs at them. It’s taking too long to finish them. Tick, tock.
Dinner was at Mongolian BBQ, a place for which I’m not terribly enthusiastic. We used to go there quite often, too often, so I’m still burned out on the taste. But Janet inquired after me to Keith at lunch, and I wanted to witness a potentially awkward reunion between friends. So I clenched my resolve and went. It was worth it.
With help from Simple Diary.
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03.15.10
Posted in Food, Fun, Off the cuff at 9:03 am by loretta
Google may be trying to conquer the world via information, but at least it reminded me it was Pi Day when I nearly forgot. ^_^;; Keith was kind enough to make Dutch Apple pie. He’s very good at pie. And breakfast. He made waffles from scratch! Which are also round, if not punny.
Daylight savings made the day seem a lot shorter. There was barely tine for Final Cut to forget who I am (since I changed computers,) and cut out half a dress before dinner. With other folks in the house, I’m more likely to listen to interrupt-friendly “Wait, Wait” podcasts rather than narrative “Lincoln’s Melancholy,” which is quite interesting.
With pie for dessert, we caught up on “Community” via Hulu. I didn’t realize Joel McHale was such a hottie. I’m sure he buffed up for the Phys Ed episode, but still, yum!
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03.14.10
Posted in Family, Fun, Off the cuff at 12:01 pm by loretta
At least for a lazy Saturday, anyway. Shortly after awakening on the early side, I got a call from a friend I haven’t heard from in awhile. But talking to her helped push me awake. Then I got to work setting up my new computer. I kept my old keyboard because I like to 10-key my numbers.
I pushed an iron around to smooth out my test fabric for a dress, but had a tasty interruption with dinner. Then we watched Inglourious Basterds. That was definitely a long haul, especially since the time changed last night. It went more beautifully with Fortaleza and microwave popcorn, though. Tip: pour Salt and Cracked Pepper flavor into a bowl – don’t leave it in the bag. It’s too peppery that way.
This may be naïve, but does Eli Roth resemble Zachary Quinto? Like his older brother that played football, maybe?
With help from Simple Diary.
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03.12.10
Posted in Family, Off the cuff at 2:35 pm by loretta
Yesterday was reclusive because I’ve been working on laundry and a questionnaire for my sister. I did get out to help tape a show, SVE, but came back right after to get fuel for the car and me. Keith made grilled cheese, yum!
I learned that it’s too hard doing the questionnaire with the TV on, even if it’s a show that doesn’t need close watching. But, then, the questionnaire is hard. It requires memory and judgement. Time seems to stand still when I ponder the answers, because some memories aren’t so easy to bring out of the archives.
It’s more fun to look up links for WUWT articles, and go to bed too late, but that’s not very wise.
With help from Simple Diary.
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03.11.10
Posted in Off the cuff at 1:10 pm by loretta
My day was sweet and sour, but more sweet. I got less done than I wanted, but the interruptions were usually worth it. And now for a Japanese intermission.
ぜんぶごきぶりを大嫌いだ。
I’ve also had great fun playing The Boondock Saints in the background while I work. Guns, eye candy, and unexpected celebrity appearances.
I’ve been swamped, but usually of my own doing, since I procrastinate too much and am easily distracted.
Some give affection as generous as the lottery, especially when travelling the less expensive portions of Asia, such as Thailand. Some from affection, our mother taught us well.
With help from Simple Diary.
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03.09.10
Posted in Off the cuff at 1:43 pm by loretta
Final check up on healing hand = good
Sleep center – pick up some forms
Down 85 from Fremont to De Anza. Got the finger for going the speed limit+, even though I wasn’t in the fast lane. “Really? You’re unable to pass me by using the completely empty fast lane? This is my fault how?” It wasn’t even a sports car, but a minivan…
Coach House Liquor for Abuelos Fortaleza Añejo Tequila – so yummy. Coach House carries all sorts of unusual alcohols.
Daiso – bottled coffee and assorted things
Jo-Ann – coupon madness
Imahara Produce – sadly no cash to get fresh San Jose Tofu, but coconut syrup, yuzu juice, and other veg. Interestingly, the yuzu juice runs in the price range of the Fortaleza. It’s just a much smaller bottle. Good thing a little goes a long way.
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