7/1/2002 12:48:00 PM

At some point during a conversion to Judaism, the convert is asked to pick a Hebrew name. Some common ones include: Ruth, Deborah, and Sarah. My grandmother's name is Ruth. My mother's name is Deborah. My daughter's name is Sarah. Why do all of the women in my family have Hebrew names except ME, the one who needs one?

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/1/2002 1:54:48 PM

Mine's Freada, after my great-grandmother, Frances, and has nothing to do with my real name, Blair Leigh.

My (jewish) father named my brother, who's 18 now. Joshua Abraham. How Hebrew do you get?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/1/2002 2:45:53 PM

That's pretty darned Hebrew! I think I will choose Deborah (Dvorah) for my mother, assuming of course, that I don't chicken out, as is wont to happen when I need to speak to people. {sigh}

From:	arkady
Date:	7/1/2002 2:15:38 PM

At least in Catholicism you only adopt a new name if you become a nun...!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/1/2002 2:49:11 PM

The nuns have adopted new names? I didn't know that! So you're saying that Sister Frances Anne (for example) had a different name at birth? How interesting...

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/1/2002 9:15:27 PM

you also have to pic one at conformation too... i had one before i kicked xanity to the curb and became an eclectic pagan and got my super nifty craft name....
lotsa names:
http://judaism.about.com/library/weekly/aa013000d.htm
my favorite is ilana which means tree

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/2/2002 6:03:12 PM

Hey, thanks! I went on to explore the rest of the site too, and found all kinds of good stuff!

7/1/2002 4:56:00 PM

purple_stardust

What a fun day... NOT. My ex-husband brought over his computer for me to work on, so I was busy re-formatting hard drives and re-installing Windows today. Oh joy. I still need to put his stuff back on there and take away any options with which he could screw it up again, but then I'll be done with the damn thing. Bah.

7/2/2002 5:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

Finished with Jamie's computer, finally. He took it away, no doubt to screw it up again. I'm glad to get it out of my living room floor! As soon as I back up the stuff from the Gateway, I might actually be able to walk through the room! Whee!

7/2/2002 5:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

While looking at Judaism websites today, I ran across some photos of the Holocaust. So sad. Also, it made me wonder: can I ever truly know what it means to be a Jew, not having an experience like that in my family's past? I tend to think of Judaism as a religion - the principles of which I wholeheartedly believe - but it is also a culture, of which I can never be a part.

I'm feeling really weird today. My meeting with the Rabbi is tomorrow morning, and I am terrified, and seriously considering backing out. Not that I'm having doubts about whether Judaism is right for me, but wondering whether I can handle talking to her. I get insanely anxious when I have to talk to anyone outside my immediate circle, but especially authority figures. Eesh.

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/2/2002 6:27:23 PM

I'm sure you'll be fine! As for the Holocaust thing you can still appreciate the impact from a human point of view, that's all that counts. My mums stepfather, my granddad, is Polish and he lost his entire family in Auschwitz-Birkenau. He was the only survivor out of his wife, kids, siblings, parents. cousins, aunts and uncles, even his neighbours. They weren't Jewish, they were 'dark' Poles, so they were killed. Now just because he's not related to me by blood, it doesn't mean I don't think about the family I might have had if more had survived, or that I don't feel his pain. It's the same for you. It wouldn't make you any less Jewish because you haven't experienced that sort of loss. A lot of Jews will have been untouched by the Holocaust too. I think Rabbi Garfunkel will admire you for having the courage of your convictions to choose a new spiritual lifestyle for yourself.

Be brave!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/2/2002 10:39:42 PM

Thanks... :)

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/2/2002 6:39:41 PM

Not that I'm having doubts about whether Judaism is right for me, but wondering whether I can handle talking to her. I get insanely anxious when I have to talk to anyone outside my immediate circle, but especially authority figures. Eesh.

After reading about and studying Judaism for about 15 years, one of the hardest things I ever did was walk into a shul, not knowing anyone, to attend services one Friday night. So, I understand...you'll do great!!! I eventually ended up talking to the Rabbi and attending some basic Judaism classes, but have to put aside my conversion process during my divorce. Now I'm getting ready to start the process again...

Just remember, she's there for you...not to judge you or tell you what to do...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/2/2002 10:40:42 PM

Thanks for the encouragement! :)

7/2/2002 5:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

Oh! In happier news, I got an autographed photo of Artie today! I asked Donald (the webmaster of artgarfunkel.com about it, and he was kind enough to send one. It's an older photo, late 70's maybe, and he looks absolutely adorable. You can't see his teeth, but still. {swoon}

Yes, I am a complete dork.

7/2/2002 8:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

I finally got Caesar 3 working on the new PC despite some initial incompatibility with WinXP graphics or at with least my settings but it looks like I got it fixed and so I am now going to veg out and eat macaroni and cheese and drink Coke and smoke and play Caesar 3 and avoid the sense of impending doom that I feel every time I think of meeting the rabbi tomorrow because I don't have anything decent to wear and I'm gonna look like a dork and if I start thinking about that I know I will chicken out which I don't want to do because I really want to go through with this.

Comments:

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/2/2002 9:28:35 PM

Wow, that was a long sentance.

:)

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/2/2002 10:04:49 PM

You are going to do great tomorrow! And I will think of you and send you my best vibes, because I understand (somewhat) what you are going through! =D

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/2/2002 10:37:20 PM

Thanks for the vibes, I could use them! :)

7/3/2002 7:25:00 AM

purple_stardust

I found a good source of what is and isn't kosher at jewfaq.org, including pictures of the different kashrut certification symbols. Who knew, we have easy to see symbols! There is a U in a circle, a K in a circle, a K in a star, and a K inside a Kaf (Hebrew letter). So of course, I had to go rummaging through my cabinets to see what was marked what. I am happy to announce that my Maxwell House coffee is kosher for Passover, as is my Dominoes sugar packets. My half-and-half and powdered Coffee-Mate creamer are kosher yet dairy (duh), and even that artificial sugar-like substance (Splenda) that Rusty uses is kosher (pareve). So I am drinking my kosher coffee - way too much of it - and waiting to get ready for my appointment and trying to not get sick. Two hours and 15 minutes to go. Eep.

Comments:

From:	arkady
Date:	7/3/2002 8:27:46 AM

Actually, IIRC, dairy products are kosher; however they have to be kept and served in different vessels than meat products, and cannot be served at the same meal as a meat dish. So no after-dinner cheese if you had lamb for the main course, etc.

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/3/2002 8:57:54 AM

I wish there was a V for vegan foods.

From:	muridae
Date:	7/3/2002 10:17:35 AM

Good luck with the rabbi! She'll probably be really nice and you'll probably be comfortable talking to her (I hope!).

At any rate, you must post all the details when you get home.

7/3/2002 7:55:00 AM

purple_stardust

An additional problem for the kosher consumer may include the ingredient "castorium" found in some sodas today. Castorium is actually derived from the beaver glands and is found in some berry flavored drinks.

Note to self: never ever drink anything berry-flavoured. {gag}

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/3/2002 9:15:31 AM

Ohhh vile! *throws up*

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/3/2002 4:42:40 PM

Isn't that NASTY? *joins you*

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/3/2002 5:41:03 PM

Re:

You know, I think sometimes I'd rather not know what was in my food! So glad that 'berry flavoured' drinks aren't on my list of favourite beverages! eww. But who sits and thinks, "I know what would be cheaper than using real berries in our drinks, BEAVERS!!" I worry for the future sometimes!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 10:08:40 AM

I KNOW!!! That's the same thing I thought; whos bright idea was THAT???

"Hey Chuck, we ran out of berries, now what do we do?"

"Say! Ya know, beaver glands taste just like berries, let's try that!"

"Good idea Chuck, let's go find us some beavers!"

Blech. Fortunately, I only drink cola-flavoured soda. I can only hope that they don't discover that aardvark spleens taste just like cola nuts...

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/4/2002 12:56:11 AM

BLUGGAH!!!!! I hope cherry coke doesn't qualify as berry flavored!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 10:22:03 AM

I hope they don't find that otter butts taste just like cola flavouring! :-P

From:	darqueangel
Date:	12/17/2002 6:39:28 PM

Hello, I was just going through your old posts because I can't read the new friends only posts but here is a

Weird Factoid

Dr. Pepper / Mr. Pibb and other similiarly flavored sodas use prunes for flavoring...

Dr. Pepper is a Prune Cola, (I wonder if that is a berry?)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/17/2002 6:48:11 PM

Ewww... I don't know, but that's gross and fascinating all at the same time! LOL

From:	sarahdotcom
Date:	10/2/2003 8:32:11 AM

Having a read of your journal, hope you don't mind :)
That is just gross. I'm vegetarian so I have to watch for hidden ingredients too. Yesterday they were interviewing a Green MP on the radio for World Vegetarian Day, and she was talking about additive 920, which is made from chicken feathers. Apparently it can be found in a lot of supermarket bakery stuff.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	10/2/2003 9:58:21 AM

We eat some really gross stuff, that's for sure! I'm not a vegetarian (though I rarely eat meat), but reading some of this stuff makes me seriously consider it...

7/3/2002 4:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

Well, I'm back. I talked to Rabbi Garfunkel, who seemed very nice, and she basically told me to start acting Jewish (keeping kosher and observing holidays), and attending services, and after a year of holidays, I could be converted.

I asked her about the "dress code" for their services, and she said they did dress up, skirts and stuff. This is a problem. I don't wear skirts. EVER. Not to funerals. Not to weddings. Not even when I'm the bride. Never. Wearing skirts is similier to eating live cockroaches, as far as my comfort level goes. I look quite fat and disgusting enough in pants, without emphasising my grotesque physical flaws.

I just don't know. I don't know if I can do this. I dread wearing a skirt so much that walking into a room full of strangers who will judge me, doesn't even seem that bad by comparison, and that prospect terrifies me.

Why can't I just be a stay-at-home Jew?

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/3/2002 4:57:19 PM

well i'm a stay at home witch why can you be a stay at home jew? My gramma targenson was.

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/3/2002 4:57:52 PM

Why can't I just be a stay-at-home Jew?

Because religious Judaism is about being with a group of fellow Jews in relationship to G-d... And finding your place in any community is a bitch, quite frankly....

What I would suggest doing is dressing up in slacks, heels and conservative clothing and see what people wear and make your own judgement. They won't throw you out of shul. I promise. =0) Some shuls are more casual than others in terms of clothing.

Did Rabbi Garfunkel say *anything* about you attending classes and learning why Jews observe Kosher, etc? Because that's curious. Or is this for you to start attending so you could begin the conversion process after a year? That makes sense...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 10:00:28 AM

No, she doesn't usually offer "official" classes, as it is a very small synagogue and there wouldn't usually be more than one person in the class. She said to study on my own, and she would meet with me occasionally, I guess to go over what I studied, and also she would find someone in her congregation to teach me Hebrew. During that, I will be observing the holidays and attending shul, and after a year, I guess she will convert me.

I know they won't really throw me out, but I don't want to look like a dork, either. :(

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/3/2002 5:43:43 PM

Oh I'm really glad it went well! I would go with the suggestion of wearing smart trousers, and see what the general reaction is.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 10:01:55 AM

Yeah, I guess I'll try that. I'll have to borrow something from my mum...

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/4/2002 12:44:54 AM

This is probably a really silly question, but no one has ever explained it to me--why do Jews (or is it even specific to Judaism?) write "G-d" instead of God? Sorry, but I'm really curious!!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 9:52:35 AM

I used to wonder the same thing, lol. It's because if G-d were written out, the "paper" could be destroyed, which would be disrespectful. It is against Jewish law to erase or deface the name, and it is not written out casually either, for fear someone else might come along and erase or destroy it. Of course, this was a probably a more useful practice when people wrote on paper, but a lot of people do it with their electronic communications as well. :)

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/4/2002 5:21:36 PM

Re:

Now it makes sense. :)

7/4/2002 11:35:00 AM

purple_stardust

So. It's July 4, a day when many Americans celebrate their independance from Britain. I don't. I wanted to stay. I don't celebrate Thanksgiving either. I don't want fireworks or a friggen turkey, I want to be in England. So there.

We watched Monster's Ball last night, a co-worker of Rusty's lent it to him. It was pretty good, hard to watch in spots. Halle Berry is a much better actress than I gave her credit for. Billy Bob Thorton's rubber face is amazing, because we had just watched him in Sling Blade the night before, and he looked like a completely different person! He gave his wife a pet rat and he only eats with plastic utensils, so I like him. He has a lot of the same OCD traits that I do. I'm not sure someone who looks like Halle Berry would shtup him, but whatever. Artistic liscence, I guess.

Comments:

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/4/2002 7:37:27 PM

I celebrate the fact that I get to stay in my PJs all day....

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 12:15:43 AM

Okay, there IS that... lol

7/4/2002 12:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

In other news, I started feeling a little bit better about things last night, and I think I'm going to try to go to shul tomorrow evening. Even though I will look like a fat hog, I won't have a clue what I'm doing, and everyone will think I'm a dork. I'm used to looking like a dork, but at least in my element, I usually know what I'm doing! Sort of. Anyway, I think I will go. Unless I chicken out.

I DO plan to call the other synagogue (in Winchester VA) and see if I could meet with the rabbi there, as well. Rabbi Garfunkel seems nice, but I would prefer a more definitive education, but a more casual synagogue.

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/4/2002 4:54:17 PM

Well, if you go, I'll go! =0) No one will think you're a dork. I know it's hard walking into someplace new where you know no one. Hey, as for looking like a "hog" -- I'm a big boned gal myself. I suspect you'll see other big boned people there, too.

I think it's a good idea for your to "shop" and visit other synagogues and see if you can find a place that you feels good for you.

Also, there are online classes as well...to supplement.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 5:12:21 PM

Nice try, but unfortunately, I have little tiny bones; they're just surrounded by big gobs of fat! lol

Where are the online classes?

7/4/2002 1:52:00 PM

purple_stardust

I finally updated my rattery feedback page to include...

"[Moog is] SUCH a sweetheart! She's so snuggly and sweet and smart. I love her so much, and she's totally adorable. I can't believe how much calmer and gentler she is than my other girls. You make nice rats." -Anna Dorfman, New York City

"Ziggabella rattery gave me one of the most healthy, beautiful and well tempermented rats I have ever encountered. Tucker is an absolute joy to have, and I am certain that Renee's early and thorough socialisation is responsible for that. She obviously cares very deeply for the rats she breeds, and I feel privileged to have one of her wonderful rats in my life!" -Gina DiGregorio, Philadelphia PA

My rats are getting around. Yay me.

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/4/2002 3:58:58 PM

Oh they're so sweet! I love the Valentines Day picture. I'm wondering how I can sneak a caged rat into my bedroom without anyone ever knowing about it...heheh.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/4/2002 5:13:49 PM

Sure you can! Just hide it behind all the fish tanks... ;)

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/4/2002 5:50:45 PM

Yay! Now, when are you gonna use this picture? http://astro.temple.edu/~gdigreg/images/tuckerart2.jpg

I have drawn a few versions of what I think you want for your rat drawing, so I will try and scan it soon.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 12:19:29 AM

Hey, if you don't mind, I would LOVE to put Tucker on a mug! Actually, if you didn't want it for sale because of copyright stuff, I could just put it on a few things that were only available to us. =)

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/6/2002 9:35:43 AM

Re:

Put it on a mug, that's fine, so long as you include my little signature that should be on the picture... I think...

:checks:

Yeah, it's on his foot. That'd be groovy with me!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 7:06:16 PM

Cool beans. I will send you the link when I do it. :)

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/7/2002 7:16:44 PM

Re:

Yay! :)

In the interest of equal time ...

7/4/2002 5:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

... here is the little boy kitten, sleeping with Elmo in my daughter's pile of toys.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/4/2002 5:18:56 PM

awws

7/4/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

Another delightful holiday... NOT. Rusty and I had a huge fight as soon as he got home from work, and then we spent the rest of the evening sulking. He finally went to bed, and I went out and bought a bottle of wine. I'll be sleeping alone tonight.

7/5/2002 12:42:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - David Bowie - Diamond Dogs

]

ziggymeg - I got the mix tape today! We listened to the first side in the car this morning, and it was really good! That first band reminds me of Led Zeppelin (the voice), and I love Oasis. I'll definately be listening to the other side this weekend. Thanks a bunch! :)

Comments:

From:	ziggymeg
Date:	7/5/2002 7:24:11 PM

Yay! I'm glad you like. Starsailor, the first band, is a very very amazing band. I recommend purchasing their CD, it's pretty cheap. Well, glad you like and let me know if you ever want any more. ^_^

-Meg :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 12:07:28 AM

Starsailor, that's the one! I couldn't think of the name and the case was out in the car. I will definately check out the CD; I liked them! :)

7/5/2002 6:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

My mother was kind enough to drop off two dresses, a slip, a bra, and some pantyhose for me to wear to shul this evening. I feel positively sick about being in a whole room full of people whilst dressed like a dork and not knowing what's going on, but I think I am going to try to go. Unless I chicken out.

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/5/2002 6:29:50 PM

OK, repeat after me:

I will be OK x 3

I will be brave and go to shul x 3

I will not chicken out x 3

I'm wearing my mom's clothes!! x 5

Heheh, sorry, couldn't resist! You'll be fine, meet some new people, and then report back :)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/5/2002 10:33:57 PM

you forgot the scream after the "I'm wearing my mom's clothes!!" part
:)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/5/2002 11:58:57 PM

That's the sad thing... my mom dresses WAY better than I do! lol

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/5/2002 11:58:14 PM

LMAO!!! Don't forget "I look like a dork in this dress!" x 3!

From:	arkady
Date:	7/5/2002 7:20:29 PM

I felt like that the first Catholic mass i went to, earlier this week. It took me a while to build up the nerve to actually go (Westminster Cathedral, if anyone wants to know - still haven't gotten up the nerve to go visit my two nearest churches!!), and then once I was actually there, I was so fascinated by everything that was going on I forgot to be nervous!

I'll probably still be nervous the first time I go to one of my nearby churches though.

;-)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/5/2002 11:56:46 PM

Was Westminster Cathedral the one where Diana's funeral was held? The name seems very familier.

Was the mass nice? I don't know about in the UK, but they're usually pretty elaborate here, even in smaller towns. Lots of pomp and circumstance (I like that). You'll be fine at your local church too; you've got one service under your belt, the rest will be easy! :)

From:	closertofine
Date:	7/5/2002 8:16:43 PM

Good luck and don't be nervous. Maybe you'll find that some of the ladies have slacks on.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/5/2002 11:51:09 PM

There WERE! There was an older lady who had nice slacks, and another woman about my age who was wearing - of all things - orange pedal pushers! Tee hee.

From:	closertofine
Date:	7/6/2002 9:13:08 AM

Re:

That's great :). I don't think God cares what you're wearing. :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 11:59:55 AM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure He has better things to worry about! lol

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/5/2002 9:25:57 PM

=o)

You'll be fine...you'll see.

Tell us all about it when you get back...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/5/2002 11:49:01 PM

Re: =o)

It was SO COOL! I'm glad I didn't chicken out. The synagogue was beautiful inside, and I love the rituals and songs, and it was really really really cool! I will definately be going back! :)

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/7/2002 12:53:43 AM

Oh, you are converting? How fab! I converted a couple years back, and believe me the first time I went to Temple I was a nearvous wreck. Heh, actually it was very nice though, I had spoken with the Rabbi earlier and he was aware that me and my friend that I drug along for moral support were coming. It was on a Sat. morning, small crowd, and the Rabbi took the opportunity to teach us what was going on and why they did certain things...he did this during the service!! haha. Everyone there was very encouraging though and wanted to 'teach' us the why's and how's it seemed. It was a great experience, glad your first time went well too! If you ever need moral support, or want to talk with someone who has been where you are at now I am here. :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 7:17:13 PM

Yup, I just started the process. The synagogue where I'm going is very small, so they don't have official conversion classes, so the rabbi told me to read and study and live as a Jew, and she would meet with me periodically, and after a year of holidays, I could be converted. I think I may look at another synagogue however, to see if they offer more formal classes.

Is there much of a Jewish community in Charleston? I'm up in the eastern panhandle (Martinsburg), and we have NONE. I have to go to Virginia or Maryland to find a synagogue.

What was your conversion process like? How long did it take?

Thanks for the moral support, I could use it! :)

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/7/2002 10:01:48 PM

Nope, not a large Jewish population in WV, that's for sure! There are only two synogogues in Charleston, a reform and a traditional.

I converted in Clearwater Florida, it was a pretty big place (the Jewish pop is huge in Florida). They offered formal classes but my work schedual didnt allow me to attend so the Rabbi gave me a list of books to read and met with me and 4 other women converting once every week for private class. It only took me about 5 months to complete the process, although I was expecting a year, because that's what the 'norm' is supposedly or something. I took some Hebrew classes there too. Im so glad I did it, this feels like 'home' to me.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/8/2002 2:44:15 PM

There is one synagogue in this town, but it appears to be closed. I have to drive either to Hagerstown MD or Winchester VA (about 20 miles either way). The one in Maryland (where I've gone so far) is very small, and the rabbi doesn't offer formal classes, and it takes a year. I am going to check with the one in Virginia to see how it works there.

I would like a quicker conversion, even though I plan to continue studying, as I am sure I want to go through with it (and have been for some time). I like immediate gratification, lol.

How hard is it to learn Hebrew? I ordered two books (one for me and one for my pre-school daughter), but learning languages is very intimidating for me.

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/8/2002 10:09:44 PM

Hebrew isn't all that hard to master, as far as being able to read (pronounce) the written words. The hard part is translation. eek!

7/5/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

I'm ba-a-ack! The service was *very* cool, and the people were friendly. It was a very small congregation, so Rabbi Garfunkel introduced me to them and they introduced themselves and there was a very nice older guy named Ben who told me to come down and sit with everybody else, and a nice lady named Jeanie, and other nice people. The service was so cool, and I followed along pretty well except for the parts that were sung in Hebrew. Afterwards, we all went into the basement and had wine and cookies. It was really really cool! :)

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/6/2002 9:40:46 AM

ALRIGHT!!!! =0)

See. I told ya. (OK. I'll stop being a Jewish mother now.) =0p

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/6/2002 10:02:02 AM

Yay! Glad it all went well!

7/5/2002 11:59:00 PM

purple_stardust

muridae - I have a mission for you. I am looking for a dress. It should be of a light-weight fabric in a dark colour. It should have sleeves. It should be about calf-length. Tell me, Laurie... where can I find this dress?

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/7/2002 12:12:31 AM

That's not very specific. =D

Buuuuuut -- I think you have a Target relatively nearby, right? This season, they have lots and lots of different light-weight dresses, and most of them come in black. Their website sucks and doesn't have any of them up, but I think you could probably find something tolerably nice if you checked there.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 12:30:59 AM

Have I mentioned what a wonderful person you are? Will be trekking to Target tomorrow... :)

7/6/2002 12:45:00 AM

purple_stardust

Tara, you should appreciate this...

I joined the Columbia House DVD Club, and got five DVDs. They are...

* Braveheart

* The Evil Dead

* The Wizard of Oz

* Alice in Wonderland

* The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Okay. The problem is, The Wizard of Oz is an a cardboard case, RHPS is in a thick cardboard box with cardboard sleeve, and Evil Dead is in what looks like an oversized clear plastic CD case. Braveheart and AIW are in the normal DVD boxes.

The question is, why can't these fools be consistant? I HATE it when stuff like that comes in alternative packaging, and then you can't organise them properly!

Comments:

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/6/2002 6:00:04 PM

That is an obsessive-compulsive nightmare. :[ I say we create petitions for the uniformity of electronic media.

7/6/2002 12:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

Rusty woke me up this morning with breakfast and coffee in bed. Wow.

7/6/2002 12:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

Poke the penguin!

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/6/2002 3:13:15 PM

LOL, thats pretty funny.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 3:38:14 PM

I am obviously in need of a life. lol

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/6/2002 3:14:03 PM

*poke poke*... *poke poke poke* ? *poke poke pokepoke*..*poke* *boom?!*

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 3:39:41 PM

I amused myself for some time with this. If you KEEP poking him, he does different things to the hand. I REALLY need to get a life. Or a job. Or a boyfriend.

7/6/2002 8:26:00 PM

purple_stardust

I got my rat cages cleaned, hooray! I need to dehydrate their fruits and veggies, but otherwise, I have the rest of the weekend with nothing that I HAVE to do. Yay!

7/6/2002 10:03:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

I love this movie.

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/6/2002 11:31:38 PM

Good one!

From:	dayoh
Date:	7/6/2002 11:35:53 PM

Its one of my all time favorite movies, too. I haven't seen it in years. I doubt SweetP would want to... its not her type.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 11:45:49 PM

I think there are very few people whos "type" this movie is... and THOSE people are very strange, indeed! lol

7/6/2002 10:23:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb.

-Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb

7/6/2002 11:03:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

All alone, or in twos
The ones who really know you
Walk up and down outside the wall
Some hand in hand
Some gather together in bands
The bleeding hearts and artists
Make their stand
And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall
After all it's not easy
Banging your heart
Against some mad bugger's wall.

-Pink Floyd, Outside The Wall

Comments:

From:	dayoh
Date:	7/6/2002 11:32:21 PM

Are you watching the movie? That's intense as anything... very sad to watch.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/6/2002 11:42:06 PM

Yeah, it's DEFINATELY not for everyone! It is really is intense, and difficult to watch in spots.

To the friends I've met on :

7/7/2002 12:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

I have ordered the following books from Amazon...

* The Complete Artscroll Siddur

* Tanach: The Stone Edition / Black: The Torah

* Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism

* Questions and Answers on Conversion to Judaism

* The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary

* Learn Hebrew Today: Alef-Bet for Adults

* Alef Bet: A Hebrew Primer

Do you guys think this is a good beginning library for someone who is converting to Judaism? Any other recommendations? Comments?

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/7/2002 12:59:50 PM

I really highly recommend you get "Essential Judaism" by George Robinson. It's very clear and accessible...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 1:13:25 PM

Oh yeah, I had already ordered these before you told me about this one, but I've bookmarked it for my next run. I spend A LOT of money at Amazon. {sigh}

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/7/2002 1:46:29 PM

The complete idiot's guide to Judaism, Jewish History & Culture, and Jewish Mysticism are an EXCELLENT books. They cover almost everything in a very clear and understandable way. I love these books.

Good choice witht the Artscroll Stone Edition Tanach. I have a green one.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 6:35:50 PM

I will check out the Idiot's Guide... I have Judaism For Dummies, and I LOVE it! :)

7/7/2002 6:04:00 PM

purple_stardust

{anguished cry}

So, I went shopping. I had two things that I wanted to get; a dress (light-weight, dark-coloured, calf-length), and a book (Essential Judaism by George Robinson).

First stop, Target. They had some black dresses, but all of them were sleeveless, and they appeared to be polyester. Next I went to Hechts. Basically the same deal, except the fabrics were nicer. They were also far too long for me, since apparantly all the people who wear dresses are nine fucking feet tall. I tried Bon Ton, same thing. Everything was sleeveless. And it's not because it's summer either - they had those long cardigan sweaters that teachers wear that make everyones' ass look huge, and they're not summer wear. Finally, I stopped at Marshalls. They had a skirt that would have been pretty if it weren't on me.

Finally, I gave up on finding synagogue wear and went to Borders. They didn't have the book I wanted, but I bought Re-Animator on DVD. I guess I will try the Goodwill tomorrow; at least there, all the dresses shouldn't be sleeveless. Just ugly, and far too long. And they'll make me look fat.

{sigh}

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/7/2002 8:15:04 PM

have you tried any sites on the 'net?
What size do you wear?
*digs through closet* I got some black short sleeved lightweight mid calf length dresses you can have...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 8:34:05 PM

Ya know, I have no idea about the size, as I don't normally buy clothes that come in numbered sizes. The dress I wore Friday is a medium, the other one is a large, and my jeans from the Gap are size 10, if that tells you anything. I am 4'11" and rather tubby (esp. in the waist) at the moment, as I never lost the weight that I gained from my last pregnancy. :\

Do you know any place online that sells dresses?

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/7/2002 9:38:28 PM

Lotsa dresses
I had more but lj ate my post...look at those and if you are still looking catch me inna IM
Good Luck! Now..I'm going to sit in front a bonfire, eat poptarts and zone out.. burnt marshmellows anyone?

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/7/2002 8:24:56 PM

Arrrgh...I HATE SLEEVELESS Dresses.... good luck in your search for shul clothing.

I'm just glad my shul is more relaxed...well. it's california, after all...

pout that you didn't find the book at Border's....

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/7/2002 8:56:13 PM

I hate sleeveless anything. My upper arms are white and flabby and really shouldn't be exposed to the general public. I wish this synagogue was more casual; I'm still going to check into the other one and see how they dress, and also if they offer more formal conversion classes.

I'm pouting too! Border's Judiaca section was sadly lacking. S'okay though, I always have Amazon. :)

From:	muridae
Date:	7/7/2002 9:09:24 PM

Aw, that sucks that they didn't have anything with sleeves. I am pretty sure that at least a few of the dresses in Target in my area have sleeves. I could be wrong.

Anyway, yeah, shopping, when there's actually something you need and YOU CAN'T FIND IT, it's no fun. I always shop at thrift stores; then I don't know what I want and I'm always pleasantly surprised by something.

7/8/2002 2:50:00 PM

purple_stardust

I woke up late, which seems to have rendered me useless for the day. I need to do a partial water change for the goldfish tank, and yet, I am far too trifling.

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/8/2002 3:38:05 PM

In the continuing saga of me switching my days and nights, I went to bed at 9 a.m. and got up at 3 p.m. This has to stop!

7/8/2002 9:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

A short movie review... Last night we watched Dogma. Alannis Morrisette played God. It amused me. Tonight we're watching The Horse Whisperer. It involves horse wrecks and cattle branding and that nasty Dianne West. I am not amused.

7/8/2002 11:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

How sad is this. I went into the bedroom to get a book off the headboard, and Rusty (already in bed) asked me what I was getting. I told him, and he said in a most incredulous tone, "You're reading a BOOK?!?" The sad thing is, I used to read ALL the time, a book per day sometimes. Since I got the first computer, I have become practically illiterate. Alas.

In happier news, I just made the world's largest quesadilla with four kinds of cheese, and now I shall proceed to read my book and stuff my face with cheese.

Hooray!

Comments:

From:	closertofine
Date:	7/9/2002 8:13:12 AM

I was the same way. I used to couldn't go to sleep without reading. But that stopped when I got my computer. Now I'm trying to read a little more. I have missed it!

7/9/2002 3:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

What a day. There for a while, I thought the apocolypse was upon us, or at least upon ME. I had to drive to Hagerstown MD today to drop off some insurance forms with Rusty's surgeon. Fine. So I did that, and I was debating on whether, since I was in Hagerstown, I should go by Petsmart and check out their goldfish. The answer to this was determined when I went to apply the brakes and there was nothing there. I turned around and headed for home immediately, and then my car started overheating. So I drove all the way home with my brakes grinding and the car sporatically overheating, baby in tow. Not fun.

I got back into town and stopped at the supermarket, as we're almost completely out of groceries. I was about half way through my shopping list, when the power went out. All of Food Lion fell dark, and the bizarre thing is, so one seemed particularly concerned. I finished my shopping in the dark, as I didn't want to have to drive to another store. I went to check out, and of course my card wouldn't work, so I had to write a check. The stoplights in the area were out too, making getting out of the parking lot a challenge.

I wanted to stop and get a Buyer's Guide, but there were none in the box, so I came home as soon as I could and here I am now and I think I should just never leave the house again. Except, I have to take that stupid car to the mechanic tomorrow. But after that, I'm staying home with my air conditioner and fudgecicles.

7/9/2002 4:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

And now I have cramps. Somebody shoot me. Please?

7/9/2002 7:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

So. Because I have the car, and Rusty isn't home from work yet, and there was a thunderstorm earlier, I went offline so the phone would be available, should Rusty decide to call. Big mistake. The phone rang. The guy on the other end asked for Rusty. I said he wasn't here, and could I take a message. Immediately, this guy turns into Mister Perky, and says "Well this is [some chump's name] with Radisson, and Mr. Snyder entered our Florida vacation giveaway, and I just wanted to discuss the details with him!" Does this moron think I was born yesterday?

So I say "Oh, like we pay you a whole bunch of money and then you 'give' us this vacation?" The chump admits that yes, this 'prize' costs $198 and-- and then I cut him off and said no thanks.

But this shithead doesn't know when to cut his losses, and says "Oh, can't swing it?" ... to which I replied "No, I just can't figure out why my husband fell for this stupid scheme." Still perky, he says "Oh, but it's a great vacation--" at which point I said "I'm sure it is" and hung up on him.

And now I wish I could call him back and tell him that not only do I not want to BUY this prize, but furthermore, if I was going to take a vacation, it would never be to Florida, and certainly not in the middle of July!

7/9/2002 10:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

Bizarre factoid about me #729:

I don't own any metal eating utensils. I refuse to use metal eating utensils. Not because I think they might be dirty (though that doesn't help), but because I can't stand that clinking noise they make on teeth and plates.

I do, however, like plastic sporks.

Comments:

From:	anabird
Date:	7/9/2002 10:58:40 PM

i hope you wash them instead of thowing them away each time.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/9/2002 11:14:29 PM

Yep, sure do! :)

From:	jmducky
Date:	10/5/2002 8:46:40 PM

lol omg

okay i'll tell ya the truth i have no idea how i came across your live journal :o) BUT i saw this post and *had* to say something! My grandma thinks i'm crazy because i can't stand metal eating utensils!!!! lol *finally* someone who understands! ;o)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	10/6/2002 2:21:19 PM

Re: lol omg

LOL! That's so cool; at least I know I'm not the only one! :)

7/9/2002 11:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

What's Your Inner Demon?

7/10/2002 10:15:00 AM

purple_stardust

My entire midsection feels as though it's been gnawed upon by wolverines.

In happier news, my new Judaism books (minus one that's backordered) are due to be delivered today, as well as the printer that I ordered when I ordered the new computer, which came weeks ago. Unfortunately, I need to drop my car off at the mechanic's today, so I hope the UPS guy doesn't show up while I'm gone.

UPDATE: The UPS guy just came, hooray! New toys for me-e-e! =)

7/10/2002 10:45:00 AM

purple_stardust

{anguished screams}

Okay, here is a brief history of me and languages. I was a stellar student for eight years. When I got to high school, I took Latin. I flunked Latin. It was the first 'F' I ever got. I was mortified, but figured Latin was a pretty hard language. So my senior year, I took French. I flunked French. In the entire year, all I learned were a few basic nouns (cat and beach), and the names of a few colours. Clearly, learning languages is not my forte. I honestly think my brain is missing whatever part it needs to process anything other than English.

And so now I need to learn Hebrew? I couldn't learn a language when I had actual letters to work with, and now all I have are little squiggley dooflinkies and dots! I bought two beginner Hebrew books; one for pre-schoolers (for my daughter), and one for adults. Even the baby book looks mind-numbingly difficult!

I was hoping for a Hebrew For Dummies book (it doesn't exist), but what I really need is one entitled Hebrew For The Completely Stupid. Unfortunately, that one doesn't exist either.

{thunk}

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/10/2002 11:48:28 AM

I'm slowly trying to learn Hebrew -- it'll be more helpful if you try to focus on the service. I now know the alphabet and I'm working on "stringing" things together.... Attending a service where there's a fair amount of hebrew spoken helps...espeically if they have a transliterated siddur.

You take it a bit at a time...also, one of the shuls may be able to point you to a course. There are LOTS of Jews who don't know one word of Hebrew...

So you're not alone... =0)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/10/2002 9:26:53 PM

The synagogue I went to did have a transliterated siddur, plus I just bought one of my own. Rabbi Garfunkel does not teach Hebrew, but thought she might be able to find someone in the congregation to help me.

The irony is, the one person I know who was born Jewish, doesn't know a word of Hebrew. :\

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/10/2002 11:49:28 AM

Your best bet is to learn FROM SOMEONE. The books will help, but not as much as sitting down with another human being and learning. (just from my experience) The temple you decide to convert at should offer some basic Hebrew classes, or maybe someone in the congregation could teach you privatly. Speak with the Rabbi, he/she would know. Good luck! ;)

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/10/2002 12:24:25 PM

I need to take that advice myself... =0)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/10/2002 9:46:02 PM

Yah. There are no oficial Hebrew classes, but the rabbi said she thought she could find someone in the congregation to help me. That probably WOULD help, as the pronunciation baffles me, even if I knew the letters and words. :\

7/10/2002 9:50:00 PM

purple_stardust

My mom followed me out to drop off the car, and then we went to the Goodwill. I bought three long dresses, two long skirts, and two little tee-shirts (for under the dresses), as well as a purple Snoopy (Joe Cool) tee-shirt, purple bike shorts, and a Victoria's Secret nightgown, all for under $50! I love the Goodwill.

7/10/2002 9:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

Oh! And I looked in my closet, and found the dress that I used to have, that is perfect, that I want another one of. Surprisingly, I could still get into it, despite the fact that I bought it well before I got pregnant with Sarah. It's tight, but I could wear it if I put a sweater over it. I am a very happy camper. See my dress?

7/11/2002 12:17:00 PM

purple_stardust

In case anyone is interested, you can see my new dresses here. The first one is much shorter than the others, but it fit me really well and is cute. It hits me a bit below the knee. The other three dresses and the two skirts are mid-calf or longer.

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/11/2002 12:30:51 PM

Cool!

They look nice *and* comfy! (The way I like 'em.)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/11/2002 2:37:03 PM

Re: Cool!

Thanks! I guess I will have to get some dressier ones for non-summer months, but I thought this was a good start. :)

From:	closertofine
Date:	7/11/2002 7:50:35 PM

How cute. I love them. Especially the black sleeveless. I would kill to be able to wear sleeveless dresses again.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/11/2002 8:15:13 PM

Thanks, the black one was my favourite too! I won't be wearing them sleeveless though; I will either put a tee-shirt underneath or a sweater overtop. I'm *way* too self-conscious for sleeveless.

7/11/2002 1:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

My mom just heard from the mechanic; I had him call her, since I'm always online.

Apparently the brakes - both front and back - were completely shot, and had been bad for a long time. Also the tie rods are gone, meaning you could be zooming down the road and suddenly find you had absolutely NO control over the car at all.

No doubt, this will cost a fortune to repair. Oh happy fucking day.

7/11/2002 8:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

I picked up my stupid car. I hate that car. I hate Fords.

In rattier news, ZBR Beatrix and PS Bleu are in the "love shack" and hopefully I will have little blue ratlets in about three weeks. About half should be dumbos, some rex. I hope there are a ton of girls, as that is what everyone seems to be after.

I need to fix dinner. Blah.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/12/2002 3:00:16 PM

ford= fix or repair daily / fucked up rebuilt dodge
I own a dodge...uncle b has a ford...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/12/2002 3:11:14 PM

I hate American cars, period. I haven't had a decent one yet...

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/12/2002 3:15:58 PM

Re:

actually depending on you vehicle it might not be american at all... for instance... most of my uncle's ford ranger is made up of mazda parts

7/11/2002 10:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

Found in - George Bush: Heir To The Holocaust.

Hooray! I have an award!

7/11/2002 11:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

www.ziggabella.com

7/11/2002 11:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

Ironically, McCormick's bacon bits are kosher.

Comments:

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/12/2002 12:34:16 AM

hehe. :] Kind of like non-dairy creamer... which is... dairy.

7/12/2002 12:35:00 AM

purple_stardust

Croutons with sweet-n-sour dressing, matzoh crackers, and 2/3rds of a can of hummus later... I feel really sick. As soon as I finish these Reese's Cups, I'm going to go lie down and read -- something.

7/12/2002 1:55:00 AM

purple_stardust

Okay, one fudgesicle... but then I'm going to bed!

7/12/2002 11:00:00 AM

purple_stardust

1. Where are you right now? ...In my living room, at my desk, in front my computer. Where else would I be? I should be somewhere else, but I'm not.

2. What have you lost recently? ...Substantial amounts of money to amazon.com, Columbia House DVD Club, and the mechanic. Patience. My mind.

3. What was the first CD you ever purchased? ...One of the first was 'Wish' by The Cure. Also the 24k edition of Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'.

4. What is your favorite kind of writing pen? ...I like my Lego pen, my Pilot fine point purple pen, and plain ol' Paper Mate medium point blue pens.

5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? ...Haagen Daas - I forget the name but it's vanilla with caramel swirls. And fudgesicles. I love fudgesicles.

http://fridayfive.org/

7/12/2002 11:55:00 AM

purple_stardust

Well, it's happened. The thing I always feared would happen, has happened. People said it would happen, but I never believed them, and now it has happened.

I'm turning into a girl.

I went into the bedroom to find a pair of pants. But then, I didn't put on a pair of pants at all, I put on A DRESS. So I'm sitting here, no place to go - no weddings, no funerals, no synagogue - and I'm wearing a dress just for the hell of it.

What IS this world coming to.

7/12/2002 12:05:00 PM

purple_stardust

The problem with this dress is, it has all those little buttons all the way up the front, and they keep snagging and bumping my navel piercing. Hmmm.

In other kvetchings, I woke up this morning to find that the picture tube seems to have gone bad in our television set. After the car fiasco, this is NOT good timing.

Furthermore, the new operating system that I installed on my ex-husband's computer isn't compatable with a lot of his old software and peripherals, so I have to reformat again, and start all over with the old OS. This truly sucks.

7/12/2002 9:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

Which Live Journal user are you?

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/12/2002 11:57:18 PM

hey is that you?
you're perdy.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/13/2002 11:15:58 AM

Tanks! :)

From:	artmomz
Date:	7/13/2002 1:10:45 AM

Cool.

From:	muridae
Date:	7/13/2002 11:28:16 AM

Aw, but we love you for it!

7/13/2002 1:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Alice In Wonderland

]

I love Alice in Wonderland.

7/13/2002 2:10:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Alice In Wonderland

]

I love the caterpiller scene in this version. Since it was originally made for network television, I was afraid that they would try to gloss over it. Instead, the caterpiller is smoking away, you can even hear the gurgling of the hooka. He also sees Alice as all blurry when he first meets her, and hallucinates and then looks at the still-smoking pipe. Ben Kingsley makes a righteous caterpiller, too.

7/13/2002 4:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - The Evil Dead

]

I'm watching The Evil Dead now. This movie cracks me up. I absolutely love bad horror movies; I wish Rusty did. He's at work today though, so I am taking advantage of the situation, and watching all the stuff he doesn't like. I might have to watch Re-Animator later. Hee hee hee hee hee!

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/13/2002 5:42:35 PM

well since he's not there don't forget to run around in your undies and eat fudgesicles

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 10:59:50 AM

I did! :)

From:	rattyluv
Date:	7/15/2002 12:02:55 PM

Evil Dead

Sigh...I just LOVE Bruce Campbell. The Evil Dead series are on my list of favorite movies too.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 11:00:16 AM

Re: Evil Dead

I know... I thought of you when I watched it. :)

7/13/2002 6:23:00 PM

purple_stardust

I have actually been fairly productive today! I made collages of my past litters and updated my rattery nursery page.

I am working on the store now...

7/13/2002 10:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

UPDATE: I am on a roll today! After I updated my nursery page, I redid my wallpapers with new text. I also made a TON of new designs for my rattery store.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/15/2002 1:47:00 PM

Oh, I like the coaster a lot! I'm also very tempted to buy the baby-t. As soon as I have more money (read: have paid down my credit cards enough to feel good using them) I am definitely going to buy those two things.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 10:58:30 AM

Cool! I bought the logo tee and the mug, and they both turned out really well. As soon as I recover from my last trip to amazon.com, I want to get the hat and the coaster. And the small poster.

7/13/2002 10:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

Gina - check out Tucker's Store.

Comments:

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/13/2002 11:23:44 PM

Oh.. my.. God.

Man Renee, that is so damn rad! Now I have to actually get money together and BUY A BUNCH!! Yay! :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/13/2002 11:29:40 PM

Isn't that AWESOME??? I was really happy with how the stuff looks. =)

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/13/2002 11:39:16 PM

Re:

Yeah, I can't wait to get that baseball shirt... Oh Bryyyyyyyyyyan!!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/13/2002 11:55:36 PM

Hey, since you announced it on the ratlist, I raised the prices to match the ones in the main store. I just don't want people not buying my regular stuff because they can get something cheaper, ya know? I don't want to steal my own business, lol! Let me know when you want to buy stuff though, and I will lower the prices back down to base for you. Okay?

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/14/2002 10:13:49 AM

Re:

Coolness. I just had to tell the world, as you know, because, well, I am rather proud. :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/14/2002 10:28:02 AM

As well you SHOULD be! =)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/13/2002 11:57:10 PM

PS - If they stuff DOES make any money, I'll split it with you, of course!

7/14/2002 10:35:00 AM

purple_stardust

Gina - this (and the last entry) are only visable to you. I saw esyla's comment in your journal, and just wanted to let you know that I LIKE CafePress's stuff. I have two t-shirts (one of mine and one from somewhere else) and two mugs (one of mine and one that a friend designed), and I have been happy with all of them. All of the stuff that I've bought has been of fine quality.

Also, the "profits" from the store will most likely be minimal - I only raised them above base (usually about 2 dollars for shirts, 1 dollar for smaller stuff) so that they matched the prices in the main Ziggabella store. However, if you want to work out some other arrangement, I understand. I certainly don't want to profit from your artwork! :)

Comments:

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/14/2002 10:45:30 AM

I don't care about the money. I just am excited that Tucker is famous! :) Don't worry about what Esyla said, I'm not bothered. And I STILL want a baseball shirt, damnit! Hehe.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/14/2002 10:55:04 AM

Yeah, I want to get the baseball shirt too, or maybe the hat, as soon as I recover from that last trip to Amazon.com, lol. I wasn't sure what style of shirt you liked, so I made one of each, except for that ridiculous little "baby doll tee" ... those are just WRONG.

From:	driftwood
Date:	7/14/2002 11:03:09 AM

Re:

I agree, thank you for sparing my poor baby, :)

The baseball tee is the neatest. I want I want :) And then eventually the mug, but that shirt is on the top of my list.

7/14/2002 11:45:00 AM

purple_stardust

I have decided to start making the majority of my entries friends-only. If you want to read my journal and you are not in my friends list, leave me a comment here, and if you seem like a fairly sane person, I will probably add you. :)

Comments:

From:	dayoh
Date:	7/14/2002 1:34:40 PM

is everything ok?

Hope you didn't run into any problems with anyone.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/14/2002 4:48:46 PM

Re: is everything ok?

Everything is fine, thanks! :)

I had one guy who posted a really rude anti-semetic remark, but it's more because I've seen some of the freaks that have dropped into my friends'journals from out of the blue, and thought I would just head it off at the pass.

From:	dutchessofspork
Date:	7/15/2002 12:41:45 AM

OH OH...I WANNA BE ON YOUR FRIENDS LIST...heh, you had me there a couple months ago, but i havn't been online in soooo long...hope to see some of your entries in the future :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/15/2002 10:58:48 AM

Ahhh... you didn't update for a while, and I thought you had stopped posting! I added you back. :)

From:	justharry
Date:	7/30/2002 9:06:55 PM

Please make me your freind.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 9:24:13 PM

Okay-dokie. :)

From:	tues
Date:	8/5/2002 4:00:17 PM

hiya, I found you through a post in your jbcs community, and would like to be your friend. :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/5/2002 7:09:23 PM

I added you. :)

From:	catmoran
Date:	9/10/2002 8:16:32 PM

Hello! We were both just subjected to the hideous 'wedding' dress in Jacquez's journal, and I am now in awe of the level of snark in your journal.

I'm not particularly sane, but I occasionally pretend to be. And I've never inflicted metal eating utensils on anyone who didn't deserve it.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	9/10/2002 8:47:50 PM

Well thank you, I try to keep my snarkiness in fine form! =)

I added you back - though after being subjected to that dress, we should form a support group!

From:	catmoran
Date:	9/10/2002 11:22:43 PM

Re:

after being subjected to that dress, we should form a support group!

Too true! But it'd probably be more worthwhile to sue the dress manufacturor for mental anguish.

From:	freethinkernj
Date:	11/13/2002 4:43:30 PM

Adding me to your friends list

Hi Renee.. this is Dave (FreethinkerNJ). Could you add me to your friends list? I'm very interested in reading your journal.. thanks!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	11/13/2002 6:52:22 PM

Re: Adding me to your friends list

Hi Dave, you've been added! :)

From:	lunza
Date:	11/26/2002 4:05:26 PM

Hi there ... I found you via artmomz. I wanted to read the thing about Xmas. Please add me. I'm relatively sane. No, really, I am. *twitch*

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	11/26/2002 4:33:23 PM

Oh, I've been whining about THAT for DAYS... read away! :)

From:	shann
Date:	12/2/2002 3:55:41 PM

Hi there!! I promise I am pretty sane most of the time, although I do have my moments!!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/2/2002 4:05:25 PM

I will settle for moderate sanity. Welcome to my journal! :)

From:	darqueangel
Date:	12/17/2002 6:24:39 PM

....

**peeks in**

Hello?

Anyone home?...I found you from the Classic_RPG's community, and you seem to be obsessed with my game too...

Dragon Warrior I,II,III,IV,VII

Dragon Warrior rules....

I'm mildly sane...most of the time...no seriously...I just got off my GBA playing my newly aquired DW3 from Ebay, thats why I'm kinda weird now, then I was gonna make a Dragon Warrior Community but I found Classic RPG's and that was close enough for me....

So I'mma add you as a friend, which being your jounral is friends only would be kinda pointless if ya don't add me back...

Bet this is the longest request ya had to add someone as a friend...

wait it gets longer..

Okay I'm done..

Long Live Erdrick!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/17/2002 6:37:40 PM

LMAO! Well after all that, I *have* to add you back! =D

I love DW3 - I think it's probably my favourite of the DW games. We have DW7 for Playstation, and my husband played it, but I never really got into it - I think it was too "graphicy" for me. DW3, OTOH, I could play for hours and hours... Have you played DW Monsters?

Okay, off to add you. :)

From:	darqueangel
Date:	12/17/2002 6:52:41 PM

Re:

YAY!

New Friends...

DW3 is mine too, I just spent like $78 on Ebay trying to get an old 8-Bit NES and DW3

and I just got DW3 for my GBA

Okay now to refresh so I can see your new posts...

P.S. the kitty is cute

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/17/2002 7:07:05 PM

Prices on the old NES stuff is INSANE!!! Makes me wish I still had mine...

From:	darqueangel
Date:	12/17/2002 7:10:45 PM

Re:

found soup kitchen...ahh....saved my neo pets...

I just like the way they look

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/17/2002 8:19:35 PM

It has changed a lot since I started playing it (2 years ago, eek). What is your name there?

From:	darqueangel
Date:	12/17/2002 8:20:36 PM

Re:

same as here darqueangel

From:	alison_says
Date:	1/19/2003 9:43:51 AM

Wanna be Friends?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	1/19/2003 9:53:21 AM

Sure! Any friend of

paraxeni is a friend of mine. :)

From:	jupiterjuniper
Date:	2/7/2003 10:12:23 AM

hi

i stumbled upon your journal using random [who knew?], and wanted to see if you could add me as a friend.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	2/7/2003 10:21:44 AM

Re: hi

Okay! :)

[Please be aware, though, that I'm not usually as pissy as I am in the first entry you'll see... I was trying to make a point.]

From:	jupiterjuniper
Date:	2/7/2003 3:16:42 PM

Re: hi

no problem.
totally understand the frustration...i, as a free user, refrain from any complaining ;) on that basis alone. but i totally agree, otherwise.

nice to meet you :)

From:	lushfully
Date:	2/12/2003 4:23:08 PM

ur diary is cute! :)

ur diary is cute! :-D
*xoxo*

From:	beautifulwolf
Date:	3/5/2003 11:15:20 PM

Rattekins

So do you have rats ;) I did a random search on 'rat breeding' (An interest we share) and found you. (I have no life other then my animals, I'm cuddling babies and I was bored! *L*)

Emily~

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	3/5/2003 11:46:14 PM

Re: Rattekins

I have rats out the wazoo, lol! Are you Emily Rose from the RFRB list?

From:	beautifulwolf
Date:	3/6/2003 12:13:56 AM

Re: Rattekins

LOL yeah... I'm on alot of lists. Who are you? I too have rats out the wazoo... you can see my 'too many' kids at www.eagleseye.us.

Em~

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	3/6/2003 9:04:02 AM

Re: Rattekins

I'm Renee from Ziggabella Rattery. I'm on "the" ratlist, as well as a lot of the smaller breeders lists, though I rarely post. I am ogling your rats right now; Speedracer is SO freakin cool! I am pining for a pearl merle; alas, they are difficult to find here in the east. :\

From:	beautifulwolf
Date:	3/6/2003 4:20:46 PM

Re: Rattekins

Where are you on the eash coast??? Actually that's WHERE I got/am getting my pearls other then Racy (Midwest and in the upper and lower East Coast). Are you going to the spring RMFE show? I know Mary Z in NY is planning on a merle from me in the future (Will most likely be sent to MI).

I waited about 6 years to get merles... I wanted the 'ones like the dogs' *L* Next rats need to mutate so I can also breed brindles!! *L* (Brindle and merle are my favorite patterns in dogs and other animals)

Anyways :) I've heard of you- but don't think we've ever talked. Nice to meet you :)

Emily~

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	3/6/2003 6:04:03 PM

Re: Rattekins

I'm in the eastern panhandle of WV; about 15 minutes from Virginia or Maryland, depending on which way you go. I never get to the shows though, as I have a toddler now, and I don't trust her father to remember to feed her, lol. Merles and brindles are my favourite too, esp great danes. What do the brindled rats look like?

From:	beautifulwolf
Date:	3/6/2003 11:53:28 PM

Re: Rattekins

There's no such thing as brindle rats... I I hoped the mutation occured soon! I'm personally a Corgi person... my dog is a brindle and my next will be a merle :)

Had I known you were in WV I would have contacted you... I know I've seen your site. My aunt lives in Wheeling, WV and came to visit quite a few times while I was in MI.

Rat shows are ok... I went to the fall RMFE show which was small compared to the I think 5 RatsPacNW shows I've been to... I personally love the ratspac group because they are very well organised and friendly.

Anyways :)

Emily~

PS Yeah I thought that east coast was a bit far for a Whispering Wise rat to go... and I didn't think that she had bred any champagnes recently or sent any far out.

From:	beautifulwolf
Date:	3/6/2003 4:23:35 PM

Is your WWR Maggie from Whispering Wise?? I assume if so she's from that trip LeAnn at RSCL took last year?? I just found it odd to find a familuar prefix!

Emily~

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	3/6/2003 5:35:15 PM

No, she's from Lindsey at Weeping Willow Rattery. The only rats I have had from "out west" were Mitch and Malachi from Gabriel at Blue Velvet (Michigan), though my last three (Wysiwyg, Blooberry, and Hoggle) are from Alicia Gangi's lines...

From:	ariestess
Date:	3/29/2003 1:59:29 AM

8 D

Found you via

jacquez's LJ...and since she's a good person and has ratties and got a rattie from you, then you must be a kewl person....

So please add me?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	3/29/2003 10:35:40 AM

Re: 8 D

Okay! :)

From:	earthgoddess
Date:	5/21/2003 9:23:24 PM

new friend

Hi-

I like the looks of your journal. I'd love to be added to your friends list.

xo,

gaea

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	5/21/2003 9:42:32 PM

Re: new friend

Certainly! Welcome to the madness. :)

From:	htownclone
Date:	6/19/2003 11:50:23 PM

Hi,

grimkitten suggested I add you.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	6/20/2003 7:20:23 AM

I've seen you around... I'd recognise that icon anywhere! Welcome to my friends list.

From:	htownclone
Date:	6/20/2003 9:34:03 AM

Re:

cool :)

From:	titancia
Date:	6/22/2003 4:41:49 PM

Hello! I'm interesting in being added on your Friends list. :)

From:	titancia
Date:	6/22/2003 4:42:15 PM

I meant interested. Really, I did! :P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	6/22/2003 4:45:04 PM

You've been added. Anyone that interesting/ed, how could I not? =D

From:	titancia
Date:	6/22/2003 5:08:07 PM

Re:

Nifty! :)
Glad to be interesting/ed. :)

From:	terry
Date:	6/23/2003 4:45:11 AM

Someone said I should add you as a friend. I write a journal about the decline of Western civilization and Moon Pies. Mostly Moon Pies.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	6/23/2003 7:10:22 AM

I like to contribute to the decline of western civilisation, so I added you back! :)

From:	skeletonking
Date:	7/7/2003 12:07:52 AM

i like the IDEA of moon pies more than the reality. i like the idea of a moon you can take in your lunch and eat. i used to like the banana or vanilla ones as a kid cuz they were most like the moon to me.

but you can't really eat the moon.

i found a coffee place in cleveland here where i said to the barrista girl make me something like how the moon would taste and it was some kind of white hot chocolate i don't know what was in it. stardust and glucose? it was fan tas stick.

From:	skeletonking
Date:	7/7/2003 12:05:42 AM

i don't know if i'm sane, but i'm not a jackass either. so if you decide to friend me, i'll do likewise. we'v some interests in common.

skeletonking

From:	whiteangel70
Date:	8/17/2003 2:43:55 PM

just wanted to say hello!
are u aware that purple & rain are right next to each other on your interest list? i think this is interesting. :-)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/18/2003 3:14:16 PM

Hello! You know, I never noticed that... =D

From:	sunshyncat
Date:	9/26/2003 3:51:59 PM

Hi! We exchanged greetings in the jbc community. I'd love to be able to read you. Add me if you feel I'm worthy ;o)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	9/29/2003 10:38:13 PM

Why certainly! Welcome to my life. =)

From:	brokenlullaby
Date:	9/29/2003 9:57:17 PM

I know we're a fair amount apart in years in term of age, but I enjoy reading journals of older women with eating disorders. It helps me put a more mature aspect to them and I don't have to worry about all the teeny posts. :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	9/29/2003 10:42:08 PM

I added you back! :)

From:	sarahdotcom
Date:	10/14/2003 3:25:36 PM

Sarah from NZ here. *adds*

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	10/14/2003 3:42:03 PM

I added you back! :)

From:	_mute_witness_
Date:	10/15/2003 1:10:54 PM

I am also a rat and cat owning Renee, and I saw your post on, was it
Victorian Life?, hmmm...anyhow, the one with the photo of your new
house. Lovely...you lucky duck!
So I hope you will add me back so that I can read about the joys
of buying a Victorian, among other things...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	10/15/2003 1:31:33 PM

Now, how could I refuse a rat-owning, cat-owning Renee? =)

From:	buuunnnnnny
Date:	11/6/2003 11:15:44 AM

Hey, found you via . I really liked your "born okay the first time" slogan and I'm going to friend you; if you'd like to friend me back that'd be cool. I have a detailed user info section on my LJ so you can get the background on me if you want! :)

Cari

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	11/6/2003 12:47:26 PM

Coolness! I added you back! :)

From:	missfox
Date:	11/24/2003 12:23:30 PM

heya, I found you via the victorianlife community, and we seem to share a bunch of interests. *adds you*

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	11/24/2003 12:27:56 PM

Coolness! *adds you back*

From:	missfox
Date:	11/24/2003 2:40:04 PM

yay. :)

From:	laurapalmer813
Date:	12/12/2003 2:12:26 PM

hi! i ran across your response in

shawneewynd's journal and noticed we have a lot in common, so i friended you. That's why, i'm not a psycho or anything :P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/12/2003 2:29:09 PM

Oh, sure... that's what ALL the psychos say! But since I can't excpect normal people to read my journal, I added you back. ;)

From:	jvmatucha
Date:	12/26/2003 2:59:47 AM

Hello!

I'm a friend of

_meirah, so I don't know if that counts me as sane or not. I'm her West Coast pal and a fellow Deustche student. I am especially impressed with your desire to overthrow Wisonsin. You don't see initiative like that very often these days anymore. So I would like to be added as a friend!

I'd try to overthrow California, but our Present Governor fights cyborgs from the future, so I decided against it!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	12/26/2003 10:03:42 AM

Re: Hello!

Hello! I would not try to overthrow California either, as Governor Ahhnold is very intimidating. However, you are welcome to come with me to Wisconsin! They're very mellow there, and they have lots of cheese. :)

From:	dragonbird
Date:	1/9/2004 8:30:40 PM

Hi, this is dragonbird, I would like to be on your friends list. I found you via the goldfish_bowl community.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	1/9/2004 8:47:48 PM

Alright then! You've been added. :)

From:	dragonbird
Date:	1/11/2004 12:23:36 AM

Thanks :)

From:	lorelei_aisling
Date:	1/29/2004 10:16:47 PM

My name is Renee too. =D tee hee!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	1/30/2004 7:49:30 PM

Re:

Hi Renee!

-Renee =D

7/14/2002 5:40:00 PM

purple_stardust

I got my new printer/scanner hooked up, hooray! It's an Epson 1000 ICS, and it's pretty and shiny and black! I should make something, just so I could print it out...

7/14/2002 8:42:00 PM

purple_stardust

My cat hates you.

Comments:

From:	closertofine
Date:	7/15/2002 8:24:56 PM

That is hilarious!

7/15/2002 1:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

Ugh. I stayed up late last night because I wanted to finish watching the second of a two-part Cheers episode. Unfortunately, I fell asleep on the sofa, and never did find out what happened with Sam's brother and Diane. I woke up when Rusty got up for work, and went back into the bedroom, fell asleep again, and then over-slept and got a parking ticket. Smoked a couple of cigarettes and then headed over to the surgical clinic in Maryland to pick up Rusty's disability paperwork.

I thought about driving up to my post office to see if my new DVDs from Columbia House are in, but they were only shipped on July 12, and I would be pissed if I drove all the way up there and they weren't there yet. It's killing me though; this is an awesome batch of DVDs, and I really want them NOW.

I'm not, really, but I liked the picture...

7/15/2002 11:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

I'm Hello Kitty Star Fairy!

Comments:

From:	gypsydance
Date:	7/16/2002 3:26:16 AM

Wow, that quiz sucks. Whoever wrote it knows absolutely nothing about what "types" people are. Explain to me how answers like glitter, wild hair, screaming arguments, etc., gets a result of "water fairy" (boring, goes with the flow, resists change)?

Cute pictures, sure, but she makes Hello Kitty look bad. She should be banned from using the images. :P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 10:52:41 AM

I know! I filled it out honestly the first time, and got the "flower" fairy, who was rebellious and cocky and pink. Now, when you think of rebellious and cocky, do YOU think of pink daisys???

There was also a snow fairy, who was supposed to be a diva, and then the water fairy. I liked the star fairy picture best, even though the text has NOTHING to do with my actual personality.

7/16/2002 1:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes

]

I finally got Paul Simon: Negotiations and Love Songs and Art Garfunkel: Garfunkel from Amazon today. Ooohh! Windows Media Player makes swirley pictures in time with the music! Must try this later with trippier music and better smoking material.

Also in today's shipment: Carnal Knowledge (starring Art Garfunkel!) and Benny and Joon on DVD. Still no sign of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. What I REALLY want are the DVDs from Columbia House, but they're delivered to my PO box in Virginia, and Rusty took the car this morning. Dammit.

7/16/2002 4:39:00 PM

purple_stardust

ARGH!!! Jamie brought his computer back because he couldn't get the scanner to work. I have been screwing with it all morning, and I can't get it to work either. The software is installed, but the scanner won't connect. When I had WinXP installed, it wouldn't work because of an incompatibility, but I put WinME back on, and it STILL won't work! I'm *thisclose* to fixing the damn thing with a sledgehammer.

In other news, Matzo is playing with my ass.

7/16/2002 10:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

So. I have this ex-boyfriend from high school that I stayed friends with in my early 20's, and then we lost touch. Well, he's been trying to call me for like, ever, and then we played phone tag for a while, and I finally talked to him tonight. For like, two hours. Rusty got kinda pissy there for a while, but he's cool now.

Anyway, it's weird, because Danny remembers my phone number from when I lived with my parents. I guess I think it's weird because I tend to "discard" old friends when we grow apart. I dunno. He used to hang out at my house a lot in the early 90's, but I was drinking a lot and don't remember most of it. He's a nice guy, though he went through a weird religeous phase... he admits now, he was basically brainwashed. Come to think of it, that had a lot to do with why I didn't keep in touch with him...

Anyway, I think we're gonna try to get together at some point, and reminisce about things I don't remember. Whatever.

7/16/2002 10:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

For example, we were talking, and he said, "do you remember Andy?" ... No, not really. Andy is some guy that came over with him one night. I was really drunk, and everyone else left, and I ended up sleeping with the guy. I try NOT to remember these things. He asked me, "do you remember Don?" ... Don was another guy that used to come over, but I don't think I ever slept with him. :\

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/16/2002 11:04:58 PM

Would it be really bad to laugh right now?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 11:11:02 PM

Yes! Look, so there were a few years where I had a bad habit of sleeping with peopel and then completely forgetting there existance. Doesn't everyone?

BTW - I sent you an email with turtle questions, if you would be so kind... :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 11:11:41 PM

Oh. Never mind! :)

From:	muridae
Date:	7/16/2002 11:12:15 PM

Then I am certainly not laughing at all.

I think forgetting regrettable sex partners is an enviable trait for a person to have.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/16/2002 11:16:46 PM

I am certainly GLAD you're not laughing! It would be very mean to laugh at me and my temporary bout of sluttiness. :-P

Thanks for the turtle info; that's great! I would imagine the turtle was caught in Florida; that's where Frances lives, anyway. I don't know if it was caught in the wild or bought from a store, but if Frances knows, I'm sure she'll say.

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/17/2002 2:37:02 AM

This is the moment where I realized I was sleeping arount tooooo much: I was sitting in a friend's livingroom. There was me, my boyfriend, his best friend, my friend, and her boyfriend, and I realized all of the sudden I'd slept with everyone in the room at least once. She found that quite amusing!

7/16/2002 11:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

I should look for something to eat now, but I don't know what I want.

7/16/2002 11:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

Or maybe I would like to watch a DVD, or maybe play a game. I just don't know.

Would you like to watch TV?
Or get between the sheets?
Or contemplate a silent freeway?
Would you like something to eat?
Would you like to learn to fly? -- Would ya?
Would you like to see me try? Ooohh. No!
Would you like to call the cops?
Do you think it's time I stopped?
Why are you running away?

-Pink Floyd, One of my Turns

7/17/2002 12:00:00 AM

purple_stardust

I am a Hippy Sheep!
Peace dude, flower power, ban the bomb... more grass please.
Which flock do you follow?

7/17/2002 1:55:00 AM

purple_stardust

I finally (at almost 2am) decided on dinner: couscous! It's kosher couscous too. Kosher couscous... say that three times fast! Hee.

Comments:

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/17/2002 2:31:36 AM

Hehe. It ends up sounding like "Kosher sshkoosskoosh". :]

7/17/2002 2:10:00 AM

purple_stardust

Well, it was kosher couscous until I ate hot dogs with it. They're Hebrew National, so they're kosher, but not with the couscous, which has butter in it. Bah. Though I must note, kosher or not, these are the best hot dogs EVER.

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/17/2002 2:34:12 AM

If you can find it, which is rare, Hebrew National salami is soooooooo good. It's not a bit like Italian salami. Hebrew National salami on egg bagles with spicy mustard was Saturday lunch throughout most of my childhood. I've got weird food memories. My dad is Lithuanian Jewish, my mom is Italian/German Catholic, and my stepfather is Italian/Lebanese Eastern Orthodox. My family is just one big meltingpot!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/17/2002 12:00:49 PM

WOW. I bet you've had some interesting meals! =D

I *think* they had some sort of HN sausage when I got the franks, but I'm not sure if they were salami or something else. I will definately keep an eye out!

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/17/2002 2:48:24 AM

and their 97% fat free ones are awesome too!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/17/2002 11:57:25 AM

Oh! That's what I had! They were out of regular...

7/17/2002 3:00:00 AM

purple_stardust

That's it! I'm turning off the computer and going to bed!

And I mean it this time!

7/17/2002 2:50:00 PM

purple_stardust

After much yelling, I finally got Jamie's computer to recognise the modem, and he's online again. Still no luck with the scanner. I wonder if maybe the scanner isn't connecting because there's no printer hooked up to it...?

I am thinking about switching ziggabella.com to Dream Host. A few of my friends use them, and really like it. It's about $100 per year, but no pop-ups or ads, and I would have up to 20 POP3 email accounts, plus unlimited aliases. I would also be able to upload via FTP, which Geocities doesn't offer any more.

Bah. I need to get away from the computer and read some of these books.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/17/2002 4:51:30 PM

u sure the motherboard isn't going out on it? Thats what mine did when the motherboard was slowly keeling over (right before it burst into flames)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/17/2002 5:09:25 PM

It shouldn't be... it's a Dell, only about a year old.

I had the same problem (it's my old scanner) once, I just can't remember what I did to fix it...

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/17/2002 11:29:44 PM

Re:

sledgehammer anyone?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/18/2002 1:47:30 PM

LMAO! Have you seen that commercial for some appliance sale? The wife says "I think I broke the washing machine today" and the husband says "Oh, how did you do that?" and she says "Sledgehammer." It cracks me up every time I see it...

7/17/2002 4:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

Thanks to angelsil, it is now obvious that I need another Swatch Watch.

7/17/2002 5:10:00 PM

purple_stardust

Oooohhh... a purple Swatch Watch and one with flowers!

7/17/2002 11:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

I made quesadillas for the rats again; chicken and cheese and mushrooms, with sour cream and tomatoes. I have 27 very happy rodents here. Yo quero rattus!

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/17/2002 11:37:49 PM

wow, you have very spoiled rats! ;P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/18/2002 1:27:14 PM

That's what *I* keep telling them, but they seem to feel they're entitled! lol

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/18/2002 7:08:41 AM

shoot! I'd eat that!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/18/2002 1:45:03 PM

I made my own - just cheese, so they were kosher. :)

From:	rattyluv
Date:	7/18/2002 1:15:54 PM

quesadillas

You didn't tell me you finally used your quesadilla maker!!! Do you love it or what?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/18/2002 1:25:22 PM

Re: quesadillas

I LOVE IT!!! I've used it a few times; so far I've made the chicken and mushroom ones for Rusty and the rats, and cheese for me and Sarah. It's REALLY quick and easy! :)

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/18/2002 4:22:52 PM

Feel free...

to make a quesadilla for me anytime! =0)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/18/2002 5:30:53 PM

Re: Feel free...

Indeed! They were very yummy! :)

7/18/2002 2:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

I went to the bank and the post office this morning. I am home now, but the road rage lingers on. I really think people should be allowed to carry weapons in their cars. Then, when some dumbass in a pickup truck drives 35 mph on a 55 mph road, we should be allowed to shoot them. Anyway, I'm back, and I have my new DVDs.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/19/2002 3:53:38 AM

I agreee!
but they wont so..*sticks with the catsup packet bomb method*

[note to self]

7/18/2002 10:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

Interesting asylums to visit:

Weston State Hospital - Weston WV

Augusta Hospital for the Insane - Augusta County VA

Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane - Philadelphia PA

7/18/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

I love Yesterdayland.

7/18/2002 11:05:00 PM

purple_stardust

Ooohhhhh, Shrinky Dinks!

Comments:

From:	artmomz
Date:	7/19/2002 2:53:56 AM

:o) I wrote an epinion on that one, once upon a time.

7/18/2002 11:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

I'm Menorah shopping.

7/19/2002 12:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

I am thinking about dying my hair dark. NOT black, just a dark brunette or something. Then, when it grows out, I'll have light roots, which amuses me for some reason. Yes. I think I will do this.

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/19/2002 4:52:54 PM

I just dyed mine the other night: L'oreal Feria Chocolate Cherry. It's dark dark brown with a reddish cast indoors, in direct sunlight, it's blazing cranberry/burgandy.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/19/2002 10:26:42 PM

That sounds pretty! Cranberry is a lovely shade!

[Operation New Hair Colour]

7/19/2002 7:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

Phase One: ~~Wash hair to remove excess oils and product build-up.~~
Phase Two: ~~Deep-condition hair to prepare it for the inevetable torture.~~
Phase Three: Colour hair.

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	7/19/2002 7:46:01 PM

Hey...

You're almost there! Yay!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/19/2002 10:25:47 PM

Re: Hey...

I'm going in now! :)

[note to self]

7/19/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - The Best Of Adam Sandler - SNL

]

Never get really messed up, use a lot of hair conditioner, and then try to operate a roll of saran wrap. The results are just not pretty.

[phase three, complete!]

7/19/2002 11:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - The Best Of Adam Sandler - SNL

]

Hair has been dyed, conditioned, and detangled. I will know better how it looks when it's dry, but so far, I don't think it's horrific. :-}

I guess I'll need a new user icon...

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/20/2002 12:34:29 AM

I wanna see!

From:	muridae
Date:	7/20/2002 11:18:14 AM

Yes! Do share!

7/19/2002 11:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

I am a STORY TELLER

I am a natural story teller, and tales unfold in my mind almost without thought. I can entertain myself by reading a book that exists only in my head, which might make me seem distant from people at times.

[new hair colour]

7/20/2002 1:50:00 PM

purple_stardust

[same photo - alternate link]

Comments:

From:	dayoh
Date:	7/20/2002 2:32:11 PM

I like dark hair and blue eyes. it makes the eyes look a lot bluer. It looks good!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/20/2002 2:46:31 PM

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it too! :)

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/20/2002 3:24:27 PM

Looks good!

You have such big, pretty eyes!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/20/2002 3:46:27 PM

Re: Looks good!

Awwwww, thank you! :)

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/20/2002 4:43:55 PM

smashing dahrlink, just smashing! ;)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/20/2002 4:54:38 PM

Why, thaaahnk you, lovey! =)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/20/2002 7:42:24 PM

its my hair color! ahh!
lol
it looks good it brings out your eyes
:)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/20/2002 8:21:41 PM

LOL! Thanks. :)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/20/2002 8:23:52 PM

Re:

welcomies!

From:	muridae
Date:	7/22/2002 10:41:56 AM

I like the color! It really does make your eyes look nice. =)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 11:17:01 AM

Thanks! I wasn't sure if I would like having darker hair, but I really do! I think I will keep it like this! :)

[the day in review]

7/20/2002 8:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - I Am Sam

]

I finished up Jamie's computer - got the scanner and printer to work finally - and he came to pick it up this morning. At last, the thing is out of my house!

Rusty worked today, so I spent much of the afternoon playing SimCity Classic and watching Adam Sandler. His movies look insanely stupid, but I DO like his SNL stuff.

And then Rusty came home, bearing food from KFC and three DVDs that he rented. So now we're watching 'I Am Sam' which seems pretty good so far.

7/20/2002 10:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - I Am Sam

]

The closing credits are rolling now. I am sufficiently teary-eyed.

Comments:

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/20/2002 10:50:12 PM

Teary-eyed.. yee. I was bawling. :] Emotional movie.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/20/2002 11:14:54 PM

Well, I *would* be bawling, but Rusty is here, and I'm trying to show some decorum. Sean Penn is so awesome in this movie; I had no idea that he was such an amazing actor.

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

7/21/2002 12:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

7/21/2002 4:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

Trying (again) to muddle through the Hebrew Primer. I made it to Gimel, and got completely confused. For those of you not fluent in Hebrew, Gimel is only the THIRD letter. And this is the preschool book too, so I feel exceptionally stupid. Argh. I wonder how many letters there are...? Actually, the letters, I could deal with. I might stand a chance at learning the letters... it's the dots and squiggles underneath the letters that seem to cause my already-addled brain to shut down.

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/21/2002 4:56:11 PM

yep, it can be overwhelming at first. The dots and squiggles (vowles) make it SOOOOO much easier to read though.

Just remember: oooooooo my belly and OH my head. LOL (if you have gotten that far) hehe :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/21/2002 7:31:43 PM

Sounds like a nasty hangover to me! LOL (and no, I haven't gotten that far)

From:	artmomz
Date:	7/22/2002 12:16:26 AM

but ohhh my head...it's giving me a headache just thinking about it...but at the same time, it sounds really cool.

I am going to have to start doing this...

7/21/2002 9:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

M&M Duels

Whenever I get a package of plain M&Ms, I make it my duty to continue the strength and robustness of the candy as a species. To this end, I hold M&M duels.

Taking two candies between my thumb and forefinger, I apply pressure, squeezing them together until one of them cracks and splinters. That is the "loser," and I eat the inferior one immediately. The winner gets to go another round.

I have found that, in general, the brown and red M&Ms are tougher, and the newer blue ones are genetically inferior. I have hypothesized that the blue M&Ms as a race cannot survive long in the intense theatre of competition that is the modern candy and snack-food world.

Occasionally I will get a mutation, a candy that is misshapen, or pointier, or flatter than the rest. Almost invariably this proves to be a weakness, but on very rare occasions it gives the candy extra strength. In this way, the species continues to adapt to its environment.

When I reach the end of the pack, I am left with one M&M, the strongest of the herd. Since it would make no sense to eat this one as well, I pack it neatly in an envelope and send it to

M&M Mars, A Division of Mars, Inc.,
Hackettstown, NJ
17840-1503 U.S.A.,

along with a 3x5 card reading, "Please use this M&M for breeding purposes."

This week they wrote back to thank me, and sent me a coupon for a free 1/2 pound bag of plain M&Ms. I consider this "grant money." I have set aside the weekend for a grand tournament. From a field of hundreds, we will discover the True Champion.

There can be only one.

[found in jamaicanjungle's journal]

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/21/2002 11:08:04 PM

i hold m&m fights like that! lol and i thought i was the only one... i might start sending them one too

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/21/2002 11:15:05 PM

I have never held M&M duels, thought I DO separate them all by colour and eat them in reverse order of how much I like the colours. Baby shit brown ones are eaten first, then dark brown, then yellow, orange, red, and finally green. I do not eat blue M&Ms, ever.

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/22/2002 12:07:45 AM

Re:

lol! why dont you eat the blue m&ms?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 2:32:41 PM

Blue food is just WRONG.

I DO like to order light and dark purple M&Ms from colorworks.com - they match my website! :)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/22/2002 5:27:39 PM

Re:

lol! i love the red ones!

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/22/2002 3:39:41 AM

This is completely awesome! I want to start doing this!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 2:31:03 PM

Me too! Although, I would think you would have to go through A LOT of inferior M&Ms, in order to know that you truly have a champion in the end. You know, just to be as scientifically accurate as possible. =)

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/22/2002 2:48:42 PM

Indeed.

On w/the tournament!

7/21/2002 10:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

If I could stop playing Caesar III, I would finish reading my book (Conversion To Judaism by Lawrence Epstein). But I can't. So I won't.

I should eat something, but I don't know what I want. Blah.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/21/2002 11:00:49 PM

kosher pizza?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/21/2002 11:27:52 PM

Mmm, sounds good! Unfortunately, I don't have any. I think I will be having kosher couscous.

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/22/2002 12:04:48 AM

Re:

what is couscous and are you having it with boudin?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 3:09:42 PM

Boudin? What is boudin? lol

Couscous is a grain, I think from the middle east. It's like rice, but smaller, and IMO, tastier.

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/22/2002 5:30:07 PM

Re:

boudin is a sausage and down here we eat it with couscous (i've never had couscous tho)
Nicholls state has a cheer Hot boudin, cold couscous, come on cajuns! push push push!

[the day in review]

7/22/2002 3:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

I woke up late (as usual!) and with a headache. Rusty had fed the meter before he left, fortunately, but didn't make any coffee. I was too lazy to make my own coffee, so I had a glass of Coke and a few cigarettes (the breakfast of champions!), and then I went out in the nasty heat to run errands. I bought the rats' Nutro Lite, and returned 'I Am Sam' ... and then hit the grocery store.

I can't tell you how much I hate grocery shopping. It's ALWAYS too crowded, and the people just stand around in the way. Also, grocery shopping takes at least three times as long if you're trying to keep kosher. I bought something new from Manischewitz - Fishlets! They're like gefilte fish, but in tater tot size. Yummy! I also bought Borscht. I doubt I will like it, but I thought I would give it a try.

And then I stopped at Sheetz for cigarettes. I still need to pay my parking ticket from last week, and the various monthly bills, but I'll worry about that later. I am home in the AC now. Still no coffee though, dammit.

[for my own future reference]

7/22/2002 4:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

http://www.livejournal.com/admin/console/

7/22/2002 5:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

Umm. Does anyone know exactly what to do with Borscht? It's kinda creepy...

Comments:

From:	dayoh
Date:	7/22/2002 5:48:56 PM

I recommend giving it to the Pope. He may like it. :) Only kidding. Borsht is a very scary thing.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 9:12:37 PM

It IS! It looks like disembowed jellyfish!

From:	copperpoint
Date:	7/22/2002 6:34:45 PM

I think you eat it. It's either that or paint it on your doors and windows to ward off the angel of death.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/22/2002 9:11:54 PM

The more I look at it, the more I think it's the latter.

7/22/2002 9:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Captain Corelli's Mandolin

]

Rusty put in a movie - 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' but I'm not into it. I like Nick Cage, but this just isn't grabbing me. So I am going to play Caesar III, I guess, or SimCity Classic. Or read. Or something.

Comments:

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/23/2002 1:54:03 AM

How is Caesar III, I've been thinking about getting it, at some distant point in the future...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 10:49:46 AM

Caesar III rocks my world. I would tell you how much I love Caesar III, but you would think me a freak. You get to build your own cities, and people move in, but then you have to build them schools and theaters and religious facilities to amuse them, and you build farms and workshops to have stuff to export and make money. Caesar III is a REALLY good game. You should definately get it. It's an older game now, so you can usually find it pretty cheap.

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/23/2002 11:55:34 AM

Cool. Sounds a lot like SimCity.

[the day in review, part 1]

7/23/2002 1:40:00 PM

purple_stardust

I woke up late AGAIN. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't seem to drag my ass out of bed at a reasonable time any more. Now granted, I have been staying up later, but still... I cannot keep sleeping in until 10am!

Today was garbage pickup, so I went outside to retrieve the trash can, and saw that someone had left a huge stuffed duck on the air conditioner. It is obviously used, and I have no idea why it's there. Whatever.

I took care of my daughter (also a late sleeper) and had coffee and cigarettes and watered my poor plants, and then started a bunch of fruits and veggies in the dehydrator for the rats. The fun never starts.

Then my idiot landlord showed up. He unfortunately retired from the phone company about a year ago, and since then, has nothing better to do than go around his properties ~~meddling~~ fixing things. Well, HE says he's fixing things. He spends far MORE time just running his mouth to whoever will listen, to the point that Rusty and I often speculate that his wife must not let him talk at home.

He's painting the trim on our house now, but G-d forbid he do it all at once! Oh no, instead he's made three trips out of it so far, and has only finished the front! Now he plans to do the back and sides, where our apartment is, so I'm all paranoid that something won't be to his liking. I hate him being here. Bah.

arkady had a good idea...

7/23/2002 2:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

My hair needs a change, and you get to decide how much!

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/23/2002 2:26:14 PM

Hey, you answered your own quiz. =)

I don't think bangs would suit you, but I bet a chin length cut would look adorable. You know I'm always going to tell you to go for the purple. ;D

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 2:44:14 PM

Yah - it's easier that way, so I can just hit refresh and see the ansers, instead of going to a seperate page.

Any brands of temporary purple dye to recommend?

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/23/2002 3:04:02 PM

If you have a beauty supply store near you, you can get Jazzings (comes in a pink bottle). It is FAR superior to any other abnormal color dye that you can get. It's great stuff! I wouldn't recomend anything like manic panic or the like, it's cheap stuff and rubs off on everything.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 3:15:49 PM

{...scribbling notes...}

Thanks! Is it easy enough to put in JUST streaks (as opposed to dying all of it)? Also, would I need to bleach it first? How long does it last?

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/23/2002 3:23:41 PM

yeah, your hair is too dark you'd have to bleach the streaks out before you put dye in them. Jazzings usually lasted me about a month, but there is enough in the bottle to last you for a a year (if you just have streaks)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 3:29:30 PM

Groovy! How do you keep the streaks seperate while you dye them? Could I use one of those pull-through caps (like for highlighting) and then dye the pulled through hair purple instead?

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/23/2002 3:33:26 PM

Re:

yep, sounds like a good idea. Hope you post pics when it's done! :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 4:54:32 PM

But, OF COURSE! :)

From:	muridae
Date:	7/23/2002 3:17:39 PM

Actually!

I just dyed my hair with L'Oreal Open, and the color was called Magic Spell (Deep Wine Brown) or something like that. Nevermind the brown part, that stuff definitely came out PURPLE on my bleached hair. Plus it's permanent. Ooh.

I tried to take pictures, but the purple isn't showing in them. =\

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 4:56:34 PM

Oooh. I want to see! Is it purple purple, like Barney purple, or a natural purple, like grapes?

From:	muridae
Date:	7/23/2002 5:05:35 PM

It's kinda like a grapey-burgundy only purpler. It's almost natural looking except that it's purple. These pictures really don't capture the color perfectly because it IS purple, and in the pics it looks brown, but...

http://astro.temple.edu/~lratclif/ljpix/julyaug/MVC-392F.JPG
http://astro.temple.edu/~lratclif/ljpix/julyaug/MVC-397F.JPG

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 9:04:01 PM

Ooohhhh... kinda cranberry-coloured! I like it!

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/23/2002 4:46:25 PM

I feel like I should explain my choice of the shoulder-length option for the first question. I used to have hair down to my waist, and I'd never had short hair (except when it was growing in when I was a baby -- but I sure don't remember that). So I went short SLLLLLOOOOOWLY, and, well, you can see where I am now. :] I'd get it cut, then let it grow some, then cut it shorter, and then shorter, and...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 4:53:45 PM

Do you like it short? I keep thinking, it would be so much cooler, but then I think maybe my face is too fat, and I don't want to emphasize that! I think maybe I'll do like you - get it cut some shorter, and then if I like that, maybe shorter still. Eek! Life-altering hair decisions! =O

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/23/2002 6:09:43 PM

I love it short. :] I wish I'd done it sooner.

[gimme down-to-there hair]

7/23/2002 3:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

So far, the overwhelming majority seems to feel that I should cut my hair to chin length. Wow. I am tempted, to be sure, especially as hot as it is. I'm afraid, too... my hair hasn't been that short since I was a child!

Ya'll also seem to feel I need purpleness in my hair... can't argue with the majority, right? To that end, if anyone has any recommendations on brands of dye, techniques, etcetera, let me know! I would prefer something pretty temporary, just to see if I like having purple streaks! Thanks guys!

Comments:

From:	angel_renewed
Date:	7/23/2002 3:33:14 PM

Purple Dye

Recommended Brands [in order of preference]: Special Effects, Punky Color, Manic Panic.
Stay away from: N'Rage and FX
Excellent selection and prices at www.goodgoth.com
I used them to get supplies when I lived in the boonies. Fast and Cheap.

As for techniques. Well, if you're wanting to go purple and you have darker than medium blonder hair, be prepared for some pretty lame results. All of the above are semii-permanent, so they WILL wash out and fade. All over your towels and bathroom. For the brightest results, you will need to bleach your hair. Don't listen to people who tell you that you don't need to do that. I have blonde hair and I had to bleach to get bright red, bright aqua and violet (all of which I've done in the past year). Now, if you're just wanting some streaks AND you're cutting your hair anyway, a few pieces of bleached hair is no big deal. Just make sure you use a frosting and/or streaking cap and you'll be fine.

I shaved my head in December, so I'm really not the one to ask about major haircuts. My hair is just NOW getting to where it no longer spikes w/o massive amounts of gel slicking it down.

Want more info? Email me privately. I am the haircolor diva.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 6:25:00 PM

Re: Purple Dye

Holy crap, you really are! Will email you later... :)

From:	plaidrats
Date:	7/23/2002 3:46:24 PM

i cut mine off late last year...it was really long (and dark purple) and i cut it up to my ears in the back and left the front to a little below my chin...i was so glad i did it..it feels and looks so much better now...
dying your hair purple might seem like a good idea, but it's a pain in the ass to keep it up...i got tired of having to touch mine up all the time and after a few years just got rid of it all together.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 5:06:54 PM

I keep thinking shortness would be nice, especially in this heat, but I'm such a chicken shit. I've never had it *really* short, and I'm afraid I would hate it. :\

Do you think that just streaks would be as hard to maintain?

From:	plaidrats
Date:	7/23/2002 10:29:15 PM

yep.

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/23/2002 4:35:45 PM

N'Rage washed out very quickly when I used it (although I tried the red -- purple may last longer). I prefer Jerome Russel Punky Colors, which is the purple I used. Lasted pretty darn long, although that may have been because my hair was weaker from more bleachings..

Umn. I found this site helpful:
http://www.dyemyhair.com

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 5:01:05 PM

If your user icon is accurate, your hair looks pretty darned punky! I like that colour, and think it would look nice as streaks (not that it doesn't look nice all over, I'm just not that brave yet!). Is it sold online, do you know?

That site looks cool, thanks!

From:	eyeawry
Date:	7/23/2002 6:16:12 PM

Bunches of places sell it online, it seems. I guess it's pretty popular. If you have Sally Beauty Supply stores in your area, they carry it too. I love Sally's... Whee. So much hair stuff. :D

My user pic was taken a few weeks after I dyed it, so it's much lighter than it was at first, but I was still very happy with the color.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 7:42:04 PM

Ya know, I think there IS a Sally's in Hagerstown MD, I'll have to check! =)

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/23/2002 6:16:37 PM

I say: Special Effects from Goodgoth.com (or Hot Topic, if you're so inclined), over bleached will give you the best results. This is my hair, bleached and dyed SE blood red.

This is my current haircolor, L'Oreal Feria Chocolate Cherry.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 7:40:26 PM

Oooh, that chocolate cherry colour is PRETTY!

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/23/2002 8:33:24 PM

It is, for regular drugstore hairdye! Feria has the best conditioner in the world, too.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 9:05:53 PM

I'll have to get some! I worry about killing my hair with all this colouring!

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/23/2002 9:58:14 PM

Fudge Color, Blueberry Hill.

The *perfect* temporary purple. (I should know.)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/23/2002 10:14:46 PM

Excellent, thank you! Did you bleach first, and how long did it last?

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/24/2002 3:49:55 AM

For subtlety I dye black first--that way the purple shows as sort of a dim reflection, and a surprise in sunlight. For bright colors, you bleach first. Bleach and bleach and bleach--your hair should be practically white.

[the day in review, part 2]

7/23/2002 7:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

I spent much of the afternoon outside talking to the landlord, and by talking to, I mean listening to him babble about wine and paint and other such subjects that I don't give a rat's ass about. Such a freak, that man is. Blech. Fortunately, it started to rain, and then I came back inside and organised my swizzle stick collection.

[purple hair, revisited]

7/23/2002 9:05:00 PM

purple_stardust

Has anyone tried the comb-in colouring?

[she comes in colours everywhere!]

7/23/2002 10:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

Still looking at hair dye... Holy crap, goodgoth.com has a lot of funky colours! You know, as oppossed to the nice normal purple that I want...

[yes, it is an obsession now]

7/23/2002 10:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

You know what would be REALLY cool? Instead of lots of little streaks, have just one or two BIG streaks. Like Bonnie Raitt, but purple.

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/23/2002 10:48:04 PM

yeah! I used to have 2 big chuncky streaks on either side for a while. I liked it.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 9:31:30 AM

Coloured or bleached? I think it would be cute! I love Bonnie Raitt's hair...

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/24/2002 2:26:10 PM

Re:

bleached AND colored. hehe They were red for a while, and blue for a while, then pink and then green. LOL

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 3:21:16 PM

You're a colourful sort, aren't you? =D

From:	copperpoint
Date:	7/23/2002 11:01:39 PM

Like a skunk on acid.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 9:30:37 AM

Yes! That's a good thing, right?

[kitten update]

7/23/2002 11:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

Kitten update: While Marley started out as the needy one, now Matzoh - who was downright standoffish at first - has become a little attention hog. He winds around my feet and shrieks, wanting to be picked up, and when I do, he purrs like crazy. The silly little goose needs to stop climbing in the fridge though, lest he get squished!

[tres cool]

7/23/2002 11:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

{Rose Quartz Star of David}

[and giant squids, oh my!]

7/23/2002 11:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

For copperpoint: {Giant Squids!}

[a recipe of sorts]

7/23/2002 11:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

Yes, a cooking segment from ME. Can you see the irony?

Anyway. Papa John's (the pizza place) includes little cups of garlic butter sauce with their pizzas. Save these (they suck with pizza anyway). Make a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese (I prefer the white chedder variety, myself) with salt and a touch of olive oil. When you mix up the cheese sauce, substitute the Papa John's garlic butter sauce instead of regular butter. Salt to taste. Yummmmmy!!!

[coffee break]

7/24/2002 9:30:00 AM

purple_stardust

I actually managed to drag my ass out of bed by 9am, amazing! Trying to decide what to do today... I should balance my checkbook and sort out the bills so I have them ready to go when I go out tomorrow. I desperately need to clean Sarah's room, but I'm not sure I'm that motivated. Blah. I would rather sleeeeep.

[tires and testicles]

7/24/2002 10:30:00 AM

purple_stardust

I'm not sure what the Jewish stance on miracles is, but they must exist, because I just paid my car insurance BEFORE it was cancelled! Woot! NOT that I approve of this waste of my money... Really, I know my life. If I ever wreck that car, it won't be a fender bender - I'll drive off a cliff or something.

My relationship with cars is nothing if not dramatic. For example, before this car, we had a Nissan Maxima. When it was time for the car to die (and they ALL die, under my care), how do you suppose it went? No warped heads or broken timing belts for me, no sir! No, instead the car caught on fire. The whole engine compartment. While I was driving it. The fire department had to come and put out my car.

This is how I know that I will never have a simple fender bender that is covered by insurance. No, it is far more likely that my car would fall victim to a volcano eruption, or something. Okay, so there aren't A LOT of volcanos in this area. But I bet one would find me, should the time come.

I'm not paranoid; I just know how it is.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 10:45:36 AM

Yeah, but... you gotta admit that it's kind of funny that your car actually caught on fire. It wouldn't be funny, of course, if you had been injured, but you weren't, so it's hilarious.

It's like me and toasters. They all eventually die a fiery death at my hands.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 10:51:28 AM

It would be kinda funny, except I really loved that car. It would be much funnier if the stupid Ford had caught on fire and I had gotten a Nissan Maxima to replace it. :-P

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 10:56:56 AM

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 11:01:12 AM

The Maxima was such a cool car... it had an awesome air conditioner (the one in the POS Ford is broken) and a guage that would tell you how many more miles you could drive before it ran out of gas. It was really nice, except for that catching on fire thing.

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 11:04:11 AM

The catching on fire thing does kind of tend to cast a pall over the whole thing, you know.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 11:22:02 AM

Yeah. That just never sounds good: "For sale: Nissan Maxima - PS, PB, power windows and seats, AC, AM/FM/cassette, trip gauge, leather seats, tendancy to catch on fire..."

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 10:47:29 AM

Wait, testicles? Where do the testicles come into this entry, anyway?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 10:52:14 AM

Just from the expression "If it has tires or testicles, it's gonna give you trouble..."

[the morning in review]

7/24/2002 1:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

I started on Sarah's room. I got rid of two garbage bags full of junk, plus a couple smaller bags of stuff for the boys to take out to their dad's, and I swear, I can't tell a bit of difference. I will attempt more later, after her nap. One of these days, my daughter will have something that resembles a little girl's room instead of a storage shed. She may be 35 by then, but it WILL happen.

And they turned my cable off. Ya know, even more annoying than not having the money to pay a bill and so they shut it off, is HAVING the money but not paying it and so they shut it off. Bah. Oh well. It's rerun season anyway, what do I care.

[rattery news]

7/24/2002 3:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes

]

I just answered FIVE emails from people wanting ratlets. Any babies from Bleu and Beatrix are already reserved, and I've started taking reservations on the next litter, which will be Brutus and Blossom. Brutus's birthday is August 15, so I think I will put them together then, and let him get lucky on his birthday. =)

[argh!]

7/24/2002 4:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Pearl Jam - Black

]

So. This airheaded little bimbet writes to me, and says - and I quote - "hi i was wondering if u ship rats? i live in PA and i am looking for another feale rat. pleez email me back!" Despite the fact that she clearly has no concept of spelling, grammar, punctuation, or sentance structure, I respond to her email with "I do not ship rats, but I am willing to drive partway to meet you."

A few minutes later she writes back and says "no i found a breeder who will drive them to me!!" . . . like I should feel bad for not driving them right to her house! Excuse me? I offered to drive them all the way to PA, spending more money on gas than I would have charged for the rat, and you give me this crap?

I don't care about the business; I have more reservations now than I can handle, but don't act like I'm unfair because I'll only meet you partway! Ugh. This is why I seriously consider giving up breeding. I love the rats; it's the people I can't stand.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 4:54:38 PM

Between the people who act like you owe them something because you have rats, and the people who act like you are insane because you have rats, and the breeders and other fanciers who act like they own the whole entire world because THEY have rats, it all gets a bit absurd at times.

Besides, if she's not even willing to drive halfway to pick up the rats, is she going to drive to take them to the vet? At 3 AM? On a holiday? And then pay $600 to get them repaired? I don't think so.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 5:09:02 PM

Exactly. And HOW IN THE FUCK is she gonna come up with the $250 to ship, if driving for an hour or so is such a hassle? What a fucking twit.

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 6:30:22 PM

Priority mail costs $3.85, silly.

=P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 6:35:26 PM

Oh that's right... silly me. I'll just pull a Stacy and write "lizards" on the box...

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 7:23:03 PM

Better yet, don't even get a box. Just slide them into an envelope, and then all you need is to add the appropriate postage, and you can put them right into your mailbox.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 8:30:57 PM

Ahhh, fuck it! Why waste an envelope? I'll just stick a stamp on it's little head and leave it in the mailbox!

From:	muridae
Date:	7/25/2002 8:29:47 AM

People will wonder why their mail arrives all yellowed and steenky. !!!

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/25/2002 7:04:17 PM

That made me spit Pepsi Twist into one of the betta jars!
I can't believe people who take no responsibility for their animals. When I went to buy Kitano last week I thought "Can I look after another betta, or should I wait until the other one settles in?". At the same time there was a family in front of me buying a puppy for 60 quid. The pet shop lady said "Do you need a flea collar or any worming tablets?" and the guy said "Bloody hell, like I haven't spent enough!" while his wife was saying to the kids "Now remember you have to be careful with this one, we don't want her to end up like Spot." as if it was a doll or something! Grrr. You should've driven to that dumb kids house and rescued her ratties!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/27/2002 4:26:13 PM

Heeeee... you said "quid"! Sorry, quid is one of those words like lorry and smashing, that make me all silly.

But you're right, people who accept no responsibility for the pets they get, truly suck. :(

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/28/2002 7:06:37 PM

Re:

Lorry? Bloody hell! I can see how 'smashing', 'quid' or 'bliiimey' could make your knees wibbly, but 'lorry'? Somebody's been at the goatweed!

[hmph]

7/24/2002 5:05:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Pearl Jam - Black

]

I am just going to sit here and stew.

[black, indeed]

7/24/2002 5:10:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Pearl Jam - Black

]

Ooh and twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I'm spinning, oh I'm spinning
How quick the sun can drop away
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything

--Pearl Jam, Black

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/24/2002 5:34:33 PM

That is the saddest song ever. I used to listen to it over and over when I was about 15 (eek, 9 years ago!) and feeling all angsty and misunderstood. I'd definitely cross over the old homosexual highway onto the het. side for a quick session with Eddie Vedder! You know which bit does me in every single time?

#I know someday you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be a star
In somebody elses sky
But why, why can't it be mine?#
[wails]

(smashing eye-con btw!)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 5:39:27 PM

LMAO! See above!

And thank you for that smashing compliment, lovey! :)

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/24/2002 5:53:21 PM

Re:

Schpooky! And I am going to track down David Bowie and post him to you to cheer you up. He'll be bringing fish and chips, be gentle with him!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 6:00:35 PM

Oooh, baby! And here I was, just contemplating moving to England so you could tell me how smashing I am...

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/24/2002 6:10:28 PM

Re:

Marvellous! Will save me paying for Dave's flight, it would appear he's a bit of a tightwad, heheh. You'll love it here, I live like <-------> that far from a chip shop!

Repeat to yourself:

"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 6:47:36 PM

"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"
"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"
"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"
"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"
"I am smashing, I am fab, and my purple streaks will kick ass!"

Can I have my fish and chips now? :)

[let the downward spiral begin]

7/24/2002 5:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Pearl Jam - Black

]

You know, I KNOW I'm over-reacting. I'm in a pissy mood anyway... Rusty, as usual. It's the sex thing again: I brought it up last night, he said he's been tired. I can understand that, but he doesn't even make an effort. Am I THAT fucking repulsive?
Dammit. Now I'm going to cry, and I don't want to cry.

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky
But why why why can't it be, why can't it be mine?

I need to lose weight. I need to stop worrying if food is kosher and start thinking about whether or not it has calories to pad my already-flabby mid-section.

I need to get out of here. I want to move to New Jersey. Actually, I want to move to New York, but Jersey is cheaper. Rusty should love that. He could watch football all day long and keep the house however he wants it and make love only to his own hand, which is clearly more attractive than I.

I need someone to adore me. I need to have an affair. Sadly, I'm too much in love with the asshole to do it. The irony is, both of my ex-husbands actually wanted to have sex with me, and I cheated on them. I know G-d is punishing me now. I know I deserve it. But I don't have to like it.

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/24/2002 6:29:34 PM

*hugs* I know that feeling doll.

From:	angel_renewed
Date:	7/24/2002 6:35:23 PM

Dieting

G-d isn't punishing you. G-d is punishing *him* by keeping you from him. You could always do what I did and get a calendar. Mark in BIG RED X'S when you're getting laid. After a certain period of time (3 weeks in my case), I took the calendar to bed; sat on the butthead; and pointed to the BIG RED X.

Or not.
It didn't work for me :P

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/24/2002 6:44:00 PM

Re: Dieting

LOL! If that doesn't work, can I beat him to death with the calendar? :)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/24/2002 11:49:38 PM

*huggles*
go get a shitload of big marbles and a fish bowl
everyday you dont get laid drop a marble in the bowl when the bowl starts to get full (after about a month) dump them on him and threaten to beat the shit out of him with the fishbowl
dumb men... cant see a good thing if it prances around naked infront of them....
pffft!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/25/2002 6:16:08 AM

LMAO! That's even more fun than the calendar idea! =D

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/25/2002 6:20:43 AM

Re:

other than that you could always move here and join new orleans sex club

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/25/2002 6:43:35 AM

LMAO!!! "Here, couples and singles gather Wednesday through Sunday evenings to meet each other, have sex, watch porn, watch each other, swap partners -- or sometimes to just gossip or trade recipes. "It's just a place where people can come to relax and get away from their kids.""

Damn, I go to the mall to get away from the kids, and these people are going off to get spanked! lol

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/25/2002 8:17:46 AM

Re:

life in new orleans.

[death watch]

7/24/2002 6:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

CD - Pearl Jam - Black

]

According to longtolive.com, I am going to live to be 79 years old! This is with eating no fruits and vegetables, no vitamins, no exercise, and smoking three packs of cigarettes per day! What the hell is this crap?

You were born on Wednesday, April 09, 1969.
You have lived 12,159 days and have 16,676 days left to live.
You should die on Friday March 20, 2048 at 6:56:27 PM.

If I change everything about my lifestyle, I can live to be 99. Umm, no thanks.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/24/2002 7:21:21 PM

It says that my average life expectancy is 87. How can I have an average life expectancy? What, did they take the length of all my life spans and add them up and then divide them?

I'll be a hundred if I change... it doesn't say what I have to change. However! If I take a daily multivitamin, I could only live to 98. And my life span is still the same!

I wonder if exercise will shorten my life as well! Nope, even if I exercise four+ times a week, I'll still only be 98. But I'll have a life span of 92. But I'd be so lonely all by myself in the nursing home.

From:	gypsydance
Date:	7/24/2002 8:04:45 PM

I think the "average" is probably an average of folks who led lifestyles similar to yours.

Mine was 89... by taking a multi-vitamin and an aspirin per day, it goes up to 92, if I do both of those and lose 30 pounds, it rockets to 98. And that's with me still smoking, etc. :P

[gift of the magi?]

7/24/2002 8:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

As I said earlier, they shut the cable off today. And in a strange twist of fate, Rusty chose this very day to stop at Walmart and buy a new 27" television set.

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	7/24/2002 11:39:14 PM

they tried to shut my cable off today too...
:(

[life is better now]

7/24/2002 9:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

My jaws hurt from clenching my teeth - I have a bad habit of doing that. I should go get another prescription for Xanax; that seemed to help. So lazy, I am.

In other news, The Wall looks AWESOME in 27" non-blinking colour.

7/24/2002 9:58:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

The scene where Pink's wife comes home and undresses, and Pink looks around her to see the soccer game on television... that is our relationship.

7/24/2002 10:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

And in the end, she leaves Pink.

7/24/2002 10:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

Day after day
Our love turns grey
Like the skin on a dying man
And night after night
We pretend it's all right
But I have grown older
And you have grown colder
And nothing is very much fun anymore
And I can feel
One of all my turns coming on.

--Pink Floyd, One Of My Turns

7/24/2002 10:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

Huh. I never noticed, this movie actually has a plot, and not just trippy cartoons.

7/24/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

{Pink Floyd's The Wall: A Complete Analysis}

[dinner]

7/25/2002 12:05:00 AM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

Domino's thin crust pizza with anchovies. Reese's Cups. Non-diet Coke. Yummy.

[not a morning person]

7/25/2002 7:25:00 AM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Pink Floyd - The Wall

]

Up at the crack of dawn, I am. I have like, a million things to do today, and I would do them if I weren't do damned sleepy... I need to get the cable turned back on.

[terrible horrible no-good very bad day]

7/25/2002 3:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

I went to the bank this morning, deposited some funds, yay!

Of course no trip to the bank is complete without a stop at Petsmart! I bought the Python siphon system that was mentioned a few days ago in the . I am sure I will have more questions on that later. I looked at the goldfish... they had a gorgeous black oranda that I was really tempted to buy, if I hadn't had several more stops to make. I may have to go back and get him though; he was really pretty, and I would really like to have two more goldfish.

Next, I stopped at Target. I wanted to buy curtains for my daughter's bedroom. Ha! Curtains are a complete mystery to me; different pieces came in different packages, and I didn't know which pieces I needed or what size they should be. Will see if I can con my mother into getting them, she's more likely to know what she's doing.

Target DID have a bunch of Dr. Seuss stuff in the menswear department. I bought a pair of Horton Hears A Who boxers for Rusty, and a pair on One Fish Two Fish boxers for myself. I bought a little red Radio Flyer tricycle for Sarah. I don't know yet if I'll give it to her now or save it for her birthday in September.

Then I stopped and paid the cable bill - it should be turned back on Monday. Whatever. I paid the phone bill (ouch!), got some groceries, returned our rented DVDs and came home. The day was all downhill from there.

My jackass landlord was here (in my parking space, no less) when I got home. I helped him load up a bunch of crap to take to the dump... saw slugs galore, much to my dismay. I HATE slugs. He's gone to the dump now, but he'll be back. :(

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/25/2002 5:33:04 PM

You need black moors. Everyone should have black moors.

That's my second biggest, Citrus Drop (after the Kroger generic Mountain Dew, because he's hyper)

For size comparison, this is the day they got moved into the 44 gallon, in December.

They got GIANT!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/27/2002 4:31:12 PM

Awww, he's a pretty boy! I like that tank too...

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/27/2002 9:39:33 PM

Re:

It's such a great tank. Tank + Stand were under 200 bucks at Petsmart. I wish I could get good pics of my guppy tank. The babies are adorable! I have a herd of guppies. And I think I'm getting obsessed with Kuhli loaches. I think they're wonderful. I love squiggly fish! Dave hates them. He says they're worms.

[awwwww]

7/25/2002 9:05:00 PM

purple_stardust

paraxeni is so sweet! She gave me virtual fish and chips! :)

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/28/2002 7:02:05 PM

That is because I rock! :D

[semi-private entry]

7/26/2002 2:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

Jamie and I filled out our pro se divorce kit today. We plan to file next Friday. I hate this shit, it's so stupid. There is no reason for it to be this complicated. For example, after being separated for seven years, we have to take a parent education class, so that we can break it to our 8-year-old that mommy and daddy aren't going to be getting back together. Umm, hello, the child doesn't remember us ever being together, since we split up when he was a baby! So stupid.

I have a headache.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/26/2002 4:02:50 PM

I have a headache too! Only, I don't have a divorce headache, so it's a completely different headache.

That really is stupid.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/26/2002 4:16:56 PM

Thank you! *I* thought it was stupid. I mean, really. If we start having conversations with the kid now about how "mommy and daddy still love him but not each other", he's gonna say "well, DUH."

Mishegass.

[nerd alert]

7/26/2002 3:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - Art Garfunkel - Across America

]

The Toreador in me wants this: Vampire: The Masquerade.

Comments:

From:	angel_renewed
Date:	7/26/2002 3:55:59 PM

Nope. You don't.

I bought that game when it came out. It requires a killer system to play and is mega hard. I gave up early on. It was WAY too complex to be fun, imho.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/26/2002 4:18:32 PM

Re: Nope. You don't.

You're probably right; just the website confused me. :\

From:	das_hydra
Date:	7/26/2002 4:15:05 PM

That game sucks balls if you have no prior experience in V:tM. Plus it takes up so much room and is just so pointless.

You wanna play Masquerade, find a table-top group, or an online-game on IRC.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/26/2002 4:20:12 PM

I used to play it, back when it was just a book. Early 90's, I think. I loved it. The video game looks awfully graphic-y to me. I like those 2-D retro games. :)

From:	das_hydra
Date:	7/26/2002 4:33:12 PM

That was what I was refering to. But yeah, the game is graphically intense. You'd be better off buying that Atari package for all the classic 2-D games!

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	7/28/2002 5:26:02 PM

Some friends used to have that game. Its *way* cool!

[spam of the day]

7/26/2002 4:20:00 PM

purple_stardust

From: "Julie" [Julie33143g4@yahoo.com]
Subject: Exotic Herbs For Pleasure!

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How horny IS horny goatweed?

[movie review]

7/26/2002 11:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

'Vanilla Sky' is a very strange movie. Oh, and Tom Cruise has a nice smile.

[yucky stuff]

7/27/2002 3:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

I took the earrings out of my cartilage piercings for the first time today, and can I just say, YUCK. There were wads of hair wound around the posts - gross.

I am a piercer's worst nightmare. I don't do any of the things they tell you to do, and I DO do all the things they tell you NOT to do. I soaked and cleaned my navel piercing regularly for about a week, and then stopped. The cartilage piercings, I cleaned semi-regularly for about a week, and then stopped. I never did clean the lobe piercings. I mess with them constantly, and never wash my hands first.

Fortunately, my superior genetic makeup resists such things as infection. Heh.

In other yucky news, I cleaned the goldfish tank using my new Python siphon system... that thing ROCKS. It was so much easier than dragging buckets of water through the house. Love it.

And yuckiest of all, Rusty got his hair cut. More like he got his head shaved. It's disgusting. I hate it. I can't stand to look at him. I've been trying not to. He did it because he works outside in the heat, and I understand that, but it's really nasty. I hope it grows back SOON.

He looks like a skinhead. :(

Comments:

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/27/2002 5:40:40 PM

No fair... I do everything the piercers tell me to do, and I lost two ear piercings anyway, have occasional trouble with my navel piercing, and--well, I would say all was well with my tongue ring, but....

Icky. Head shave. My sympathies.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/28/2002 8:57:01 AM

What's wrong with the tongue ring? :\

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/28/2002 8:38:03 PM

Re:

Just that I swallowed it... otherwise, it had been the least-bothersome piercing yet. (Now I have the original bar in, the one I got when it was actually pierced, which means it is way too long.)

7/27/2002 8:10:00 PM

purple_stardust

"The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, an almost fanatical love of justice, and the desire for personal independence—these are the features of the Jewish tradition which make me thank my lucky stars that I belong to it."

--Albert Einstein

7/28/2002 8:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

We went shopping today, and rented 'Schindler's List'. Will update later.

[the day in review]

7/28/2002 11:50:00 PM

purple_stardust

Okay. We went shopping in Winchester VA this morning. First stop: Target. I bought two really pretty candles (purple of course) and a squishy stuffed Eeyore for Sarah. We looked at CDs and movies, but couldn't find anything that we wanted.

Interesting conversation in Target. I saw a Bonnie Raitt CD, and I told Rusty to remind me to find a photo of her online later. He asked why, and I said "Well, see how her hair is? I want mine just like that, except brunette instead of red, and purple instead of white." And then HE - the man who looks like a skinhead - said to me, "I can't believe you would do that to your hair." I wanted to flog him, but instead, I told him that he had NO business judging other peoples' hair decisions.

We went to the mall (yuck!), where I bought 'The Essential Neil Diamond' CD. Then we stopped into Suncoast to look for DVDs. I was in formed the 'Schindler's List' wasn't out on DVD yet. Umm, WHY? Every other stupid movie - ones older than and not as popular as - are on DVD; why not 'Schindler's List'? Anyway, Rusty bought 'Papillion' and 'Look Who's Coming To Dinner', and we moved on.

Stopped at Petsmart, where I bought the black oranda that I saw Thursday. Since that would have been a total of four goldfish, and I hate the number four, I had to buy a fifth goldfish. He - she, actually - is white with orange spots. Her wen is white, except for an orange mustache and big orange "eyebrows". Her name is Einstein, obviously, and the black one is name Oskar. Which brings me to...

After we got home, I checked at Amazon.com about 'Schindler's List' ... it really is not out on DVD. Un-fucking-believable. So we went back out into the nasty heat and rented it. Such a movie, that one. Rusty went to bed after it ended, and I went back to feed the bettas, and when I started to come back out here, Rusty asked me if I wasn't going to stay and discuss the movie. So I got my cigarettes and soda and went back in, and we just sat there in silence. What can be said?

[the new fishies]

7/29/2002 1:45:00 AM

purple_stardust

{alternate links: Einstein and Oskar}

Comments:

From:	pocket_entropy
Date:	7/29/2002 2:22:02 AM

AUUGH! SO CUTE!!

From:	artmomz
Date:	7/29/2002 9:38:36 AM

what sweet babies...

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/29/2002 9:50:00 AM

*explodes from total fish gorgeousness*

Awwwww! They've got such puppy faces!

From:	rattyluv
Date:	7/29/2002 1:59:22 PM

new fishies

Wow nessie, they are adorable!! I love Einstein's face so much I wanna kiss her. :-)

[fishie update]

7/29/2002 4:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

My cable is back on, finally! Of course, now I am flipping through chanels and wonder WHY I pay for this crap. The Nanny, The A Team, MTV is showing something that involved one man painted green and another painted purple. Some chanels are just inherantly bad, like QVC, ESPN, and Lifetime. Ooh, sea turtles on Animal Planet.

Speaking of cute water creatures, the new goldfish seem to be settling in nicely. I was afraid they would be traumatised by the hot ride home, but they seem fine. Rusty was worried that the new fish, who are much larger, would pick on the original three, and eat all the food. Puh-leeze. Simon and Garfunkel and Sterling are not ones to be bullied, and they are much smaller and faster than the tubby new fish, so getting food is no object - in fact, I am more concerned that Oskar and Einstein won't get enough to eat! The new guys aren't a bit shy, and readily participate in the starving fishie dance that occurs whenever I go near the tank. :)

7/29/2002 9:25:00 PM

purple_stardust

Rusty is watching 'To Sir With Love' with Sidney Portier, and I am bored senseless. Perhaps I should make a bracelet, with pretty purple beads.

Comments:

From:	muridae
Date:	7/30/2002 12:07:10 PM

Sean really loves Sidney Poitier, and he really loves that movie. I just can't get into it. It's too... something or other!

Don't even get me started on his Lawrence of Arabia fascination. Talk about films that go on forever...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 12:41:44 PM

Yeah. I'm sure Sidney Portier is a fine actor, but this just isn't my kind of movie. This is funny though, because I've been wanting to get The Graduate, and Rusty keeps saying it's too "dated" ... To Sir With Love had been on for about five minutes, and I told Rusty to never again use the term "dated" when talking about MY movie choices.

7/29/2002 9:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

I finally got "in the mood" to make beaded bracelets, only to find that the seed beads won't fit on the stretchy cord that I bought. Dammit.

Comments:

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/29/2002 10:55:57 PM

Walmart (evil, I know, I know) has 5mm stretchy cord. I have some. It's great.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/29/2002 11:27:52 PM

Oooh, have you tried stringing seed beads on it?

From:	blairmaru
Date:	7/29/2002 11:36:21 PM

Re:

I have. It works wonderfully. I have these "oilslick" colored seed beads, and I made a stretchy necklace that I love. I hate chokers, but I wanted a shorter necklace, and this stuff works perfectly.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/29/2002 11:39:29 PM

WONDERFUL! Thank you! =D

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/29/2002 11:45:20 PM

The necklace sounds really cool, BTW. I like the oilslick beeds. I bought some really cool seed beads at JoAnn''s a while back. They came in a bag of all different shades of the same colour, some pastel and some dark, some pearly and some matte, etcetera, but they all "go together". I bought shades of green, shades of blue, and shades of purple.

7/29/2002 9:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

Argh! I tried to make the bracelet with dental floss, but it was too sticky from the wax. I tried it with sewing thread, but it was too weak. Dammit.

7/29/2002 10:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

Unwaxed floss, however, works great, and I now have a new purple bracelet. :)

7/29/2002 11:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

I ordered a Mercy Band... Michael Weinberg of the FDNY.

Comments:

From:	rattyluv
Date:	7/30/2002 8:32:59 AM

new fishies

Wow that's so cool. I ordered one too, but it was randomly chosen, and I ordered the CD too.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 8:54:07 AM

Re: new fishies

They kinda reminded me of the POW-MIA bracelets. :\

7/30/2002 12:15:00 AM

purple_stardust

{Schoolhouse Rock! - Special 30th Anniversary Edition}

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/30/2002 2:42:46 AM

Ahhhh... the nostalgia!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 8:53:12 AM

You know what's cool? I'm 33, and SR was popular when I was a kid. I bought the VHS tapes for myself, but my kids (ages 8 and 12) still like them!

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/30/2002 3:15:48 AM

Cool! My very favorite is Grammar Rock, but for some reason I have History Rock on VHS.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 8:46:07 AM

Well see, that's why I need THIS. I love grammar rock best overall, but 'I'm Just a Bill' is my very favourite song. I have Grammer, Science, Multiplication, and America Rock on VHS, but obviously, they will need to be replaced with this. :)

[kvetch du jour]

7/30/2002 11:45:00 AM

purple_stardust

In June, I ordered an Alice In Wonderland DVD from amazon.com, as well as a couple of CDs. The DVD was backordered, so they held the CDs back, as well. Fine. Finally, after three weeks, they sent the CDs, and told me that they would send the DVD when they got it. And last night, I recieved an email saying that, nevermind, they weren't going to get it at all. So I sent THEM an email...

I see. Well, not to worry - I already ordered this DVD elsewhere, from a company who actually HAS the products that they offer for sale.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Amazon.com's mediocre customer service department. First of all, thank you for letting me know so promptly, since I placed this order IN JUNE. Secondly, thanks so much for delaying the other items in the order for three weeks because of this one item that I was never going to get, anyway. And most of all, thank you for making it obvious that spending money with your company is something that I should never do again.

I have been annoyed in the past when I have paid for second-day shipping and items still took a week to receive, and I have been disgruntled when your "free shipping" took long enough that I might as well have driven to your warehouses and picked up the order myself, but this incident is a shining example of why I should take my considerable business to Border's or Barnes & Noble.

Once again, I thank you, and I'm sure your competition does, as well.

Sincerely,

Renee Ludwig

Ya know, I could understand that they couldn't get the damned DVD from their supplier - though other places certainly don't seem to have a problem with it - but don't wait a fucking month and a half to tell me this!

Comments:

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/30/2002 1:08:27 PM

Amazon are crap. In about October '99 I ordered an import copy of 'Ten' by Pearl Jam from Amazon.co.uk because my other two copies finally died on me, and it said "two copies on hand". Y'know how long it took them to email me and tell me that I wouldn't be getting it? 3 months! I didn't cancel it because every time I checked it would say "awaiting shipping - estimated arrival time 48 hours". I don't use them now, a) They're more expensive than any other online shop and b) Their shipping rates are extortionate. I wanted 'Threads' on DVD, from Amazon it would cost me £23 inc shipping, I got it from Play.com for £7.99!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 2:29:26 PM

Awesome! I am at play.com now, I hope they ship to the US! :)

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/30/2002 4:03:55 PM

I don't think they do, it's an anti-Nessie conspiracy!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 4:10:01 PM

I KNEW IT! Everyone IS out to make my life a living hell. :(

Tell me I'm smashing?

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/30/2002 4:16:24 PM

Re:

You, yes YOU, are smashing!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 4:30:59 PM

Ahhh... life is much better, now. :)

From:	paraxeni
Date:	7/30/2002 5:09:41 PM

Re:

You should have it tattooed across the er... boobies area, then when you're feeling blue you can look down the front of your shirt and see it!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 5:13:27 PM

I would rather move to England and have you tell me... the tattoo wouldn't have an accent. ;)

[rabbi number two]

7/30/2002 2:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

I finally got to speak to the rabbi in Winchester VA - I've been trying to get hold of him for several weeks. His name is Rabbi Herzfeld, and he seems very nice. He doesn't offer formal classes either, but offered to meet with me. That will be on August 14, though he said I was welcome to come to services before then.

[new group]

7/30/2002 4:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

If you are a Jew and a goth, you should most certainly want to join .

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/30/2002 5:52:31 PM

Squeeeee! Thanks for the plug!!!

:)

[seems fishy to me]

7/30/2002 4:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

My poor little goldfish Garfunkel seems to be sick. She hangs at the top of the water, and seems drift instead of swim sometimes - floating on her side and sometimes upside down. She CAN swim when she chooses to though, like when I feed them, or look like I might feed them. Often she just stops swimming and drifts around, though. I don't want to lose my fishie. :(

Comments:

From:	rattyluv
Date:	7/31/2002 8:37:37 AM

Garfunkel

Swim Bladder- Swim or air bladder problems sometimes occur in freshwater fish. I have personally seen this is fancy goldfish such as Orandas, Ryunkins, and Shubunkins. When the bladder is effected, the fish will experience equilibrium problems. Sometimes, the problem is not the bladder but other problems which directly affect the bladder. Diseased and inflamed internal organs, improper water conditions or nutrition, and wounds received from fighting with another fish can also effect the equilibrium of the fish. Constipation is also known to affect a fish's swimming ability! Symptoms: The fish has problems swimming correctly. They may appear to be standing on their head, or floating to the surface and struggling to go down to the bottom, or possibly even have problems removing themselves from the bottom. At the later stages of the disease, the fish could lose its balance and swim upside down. Treatment: There is no specific treatment for this dilemma;however, you can try isolating the fish to a quarantine tank in which the water is shallow(this provides relief for the fish). Add one teaspoon of salt per gallon of water. Some individuals will feed thawed out frozen peas and this purges the fish's system and has been noted to help many fish. After 1-2 weeks a return to the main tank with deeper water may be tried. The best advice I can give is to maintain proper water conditions, feed your fish a well balanced diet, and possibly try feeding your goldfish sinking foods rather than floating types. They won't inhale so much air this way. The pellets if soaked in water before feeding will expand before the fish eats them and this has helped a lot. Good luck with this!! Read what the Koi Vet recommends here

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/31/2002 9:44:22 AM

Re: Garfunkel

Thanks Joell! They *should* be getting a well-balanced diet - I feed them about ten different kinds of food, all pre-soaked - but I know I DO over-feed them, as well. I am trying the peas now! :)

[the panic is setting in]

7/30/2002 5:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

I hope Rabbi Herzfeld likes me. He said he didn't take on everyone who wanted to convert. I wonder what his criteria is...? What if he decides I'm not worthy? Argh.

Comments:

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	7/30/2002 5:51:19 PM

I'm sure he will see how sincere you are and will take you right away!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 7:40:41 PM

Awww, thanks! :)

From:	angel_renewed
Date:	7/30/2002 6:30:27 PM

It's tradition

Tradition dictates that prospective converts should be rejected (or disuaded) 3 times before being accepted. Don't fret, though. Most Rabbis (especially Reform and Conservative) aren't that way. Realize that he probably sees a lot of people who are only converting 'for the marriage' and that it _not_ a good reason. I'm sure he'll see that you are genuine and doing it for yourself and will welcome you with open arms.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 7:29:11 PM

Re: It's tradition

Ha! I wish I WAS marrying a nice Jewish guy! I agree though, that is a bad reason to convert.

Thanks for the moral suport. :)

From:	justharry
Date:	7/30/2002 11:55:47 PM

Re: It's tradition

YOur husband isn't converting?

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/31/2002 9:37:11 AM

Re: It's tradition

No. He's non-denominational, and though supportive of my decision, won't be converting himself.

(That's another thing that could be discussed in a JBC2B group - the problems of when a person is converting and their family (parents or spouse) is not. Fortunately, my family is not what I would consider Christian, but I imagine that would be rough, if they were.)

From:	justharry
Date:	7/31/2002 9:40:52 AM

Re: It's tradition

It is...and it's what stopped me from going through with it last year...It would have killed my mother. I think it will drive her insane but now I think I just have to do it. It's unfortunate that they will be upset about it but I have to do what I have to do.

Stay tuned....good things a head

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/31/2002 9:52:45 AM

Re: It's tradition

I agree - it's too important of a decision to make for someone else, or to NOT make because of someone else.

Fortunately, I come from a long line of not-a-bit-religeous people, so they really don't care. We celebrate on December 25, but not as the birth of Christ; it's more of an excuse to eat a lot and exchange presents. We also have always done Easter, but that is a celebration of chocolate and bunnies, not whatever the Christians say it is.

Just the fact that I'm observing and converting to a formal religion, makes me the most religious person in the family now, which is truly a bizarre concept. :)

From:	justharry
Date:	7/31/2002 10:44:52 AM

Re: It's tradition

Unfortunately fo rme mine is a very devout Catholic family, with me as the exception.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/31/2002 11:04:40 AM

Re: It's tradition

Ouch. Well, it could be worse... they could be Pentacostals. ;)

(My apologies if there are any Pentacostals on my LJ friends list, but I haven't had good experiences.)

If I were a Christian, I would probably be Catholic. I went to Catholic school for eight years, and it was a lovely religion... I just never accepted the trinity and Christ aspects of it.

7/30/2002 9:30:00 PM

purple_stardust

Now Rusty is watching 'Look Who's Coming To Dinner' and again, I am bored. I am also slighty disturbed that my husband likes Sidney Portier this much. Hmmm...

Comments:

From:	gypsydance
Date:	7/30/2002 10:09:39 PM

'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?'

:P

(Sorry, one of my favorite movies.)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/30/2002 10:19:58 PM

Sorry. I wasn't really familier with it until he bought the DVD. I DO like Sidney Portier, I just have a hard time getting into movies unless they're about something that I'm particularly "into" at the time - WW2 and Judaism, right now for example. :)

From:	artmomz
Date:	7/31/2002 12:56:33 AM

my husband loves that movie...I have yet to get myself to watch it.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	7/31/2002 9:39:06 AM

I'm not sure if Rusty loves the movie, or if he just watches it because Sidney Portier is in it. He REALLY like SP. lol

[breaking news]

7/30/2002 10:55:00 PM

purple_stardust

In an effort to rectify the earlier tragic incident with Amazon, I have ordered the illusive Alice In Wonderland DVD from a guy on ebay, as well as another version - from a different seller. I'll show them!

*giggles and falls over*

[bon appetite, pig]

7/30/2002 11:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

Dinner: two cheese quesadillas and a serving of refried beans with cheese, regular Coke. Fudgesicles to follow. I need to stop binging. Or at least start purging.

A note to one person on my list that I know this post might offend - I'm sorry; I wouldn't be so flippant about it if I hadn't already been there myself. :\

[forget about the pickles]

7/31/2002 10:35:00 AM

purple_stardust

Beatrix is a very happy girl, and for future reference, pregnant rats LOVE gefilte.

[the cleanup continues]

7/31/2002 12:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

I got another bag of junk out of Sarah's bedroom today, as well as a bunch of magazines and colouring books to to to Jamie's with the boys. I had to stop so she could take her nap, which sucks, because I was on a roll. Oh well.

[alas]

7/31/2002 2:35:00 PM

purple_stardust

I seem to have reached the end of the internet. I think I'll go read a book.

[the final straw]

7/31/2002 5:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

The dickhead landlord has been on a home improvement kick since he retired, and unfortunately, he had picked MY home to improve! We live in a stone house that needs to be pointed, and instead of doing this, he has chosen to clean up other aspects of the exterior, so as to make the structural flaws less noticable to building inspectors who happen to park right across the street. This includes painting the trim (badly) and clearing the property of weeds.

Enter my problem. His definition of weeds and mine vary drastically. We ~~have~~ had scads of lovely grapevine growing on the front fence. I loved the grapevine, because it offered some privacy from the riffraff that walk down the street. He cut it all off and poisoned the roots. We had weeds (pokeberry, mostly) growing in the side yard, which nicely blocked our view of the white trash neighbours. He cut that all down. At the end of the yard, there is an overgrown garden (because I was too lazy to plant this year) and more grapevine on the lower fence. This separates us from a church and its parking lot, but now he has ordered me to cut that down as well.

So that is what I've been doing, much to my dismay. My arms are very sore, and I hate this complete lack of privacy. I hate feeling this exposed, I hate him always being here, I hate HIM. Methinks it's time to look for a new place to live.

[nifty!]

7/31/2002 10:10:00 PM

purple_stardust

[

Current Music

DVD - The Big Lebowski

]

This is a test. This is only a test.

Thanks to arkady, I have downloaded the new Semagic client. I am now creating this entire post from the Semagic window, using the nifty toolbar.

More info can be found at: .

We now return you to your regularly scheduled internet browsing.

[wow]

7/31/2002 10:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

I have to reiterate, Semagic is the coolest thing EVER.

Comments:

From:	rattyluv
Date:	8/1/2002 9:17:10 AM

Semagic

All I can say is "HuH?" What does it mean? lol

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 12:58:13 PM

Re: Semagic

Semagic is a little client that you download to your hard drive. You can use it to update your journal. The cool thing is, it eliminates the need for remembering HTML - for example, you can highlight part of your text, and choose what colour wou want from the toolbar - much like writing an email. You can also post links, make user tags (where you see the LJ head and the user is a clickable link), etcetera. Download it, you'll see! :)

From:	muridae
Date:	8/1/2002 9:40:27 AM

Yeah, that's the client I use, and I like it a lot. It's got a lot of functionality.

[for the animal lover in training]

7/31/2002 11:00:00 PM

purple_stardust

I think I am going to order Wild Animal Baby magazine for Sarah's birthday. It's made by the people who publish Ranger Rick, which was my favourite magazine as a child. Yes, I was always a sucker for a furry face.

Comments:

From:	instantclarity
Date:	7/31/2002 11:26:42 PM

I loved Ranger Rick too, that was (is?) a great magazine.

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:25:39 AM

IS. It's really cool, because they have Wild Animal Baby for 1-3 years, My Big Backyard for 3-7 years, and then Ranger Rick for 7+ years. Obviously, we'll have to have them all. :)

From:	sjcarpediem
Date:	8/1/2002 12:27:37 AM

d00d! I remember Ranger Rick!

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	8/1/2002 6:00:53 AM

has she seen animal alphabet yet?! i loved animal alphabet :)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:26:18 AM

Is that a magazine? I'm not familier with that one, myself...

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	8/1/2002 10:44:05 AM

Re:

its a video tape :)
i got a copy of it around here somewhere...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:55:03 AM

Oh cool, I should look for that! She loves the alphabet - she has those wooden blocks and she likes to point to the different letters and have us tell her what they are. And she LOVES animals! =)

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	8/1/2002 11:04:38 AM

Re:

be glad i dont live near you.... i would get her singing merry go round (by wild man fisher) and drive you craaaaaaazy!

From:	rattyluv
Date:	8/1/2002 9:16:00 AM

Ranger Rick

OMG I used to LOVE Ranger Rick Magazine!! I also remember once or twice a year, in elementary school, they would pass out this catalog to order stuff from. There were posters, books and magazines. I remember getting that poster with the kitten hanging from the branch, that says "Hang In There Baby." LOL

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:27:15 AM

Re: Ranger Rick

Oooh, I loved those book clubs too!

7/31/2002 11:15:00 PM

purple_stardust

what dr. seuss book warped you?

Comments:

From:	wampithesilver
Date:	8/1/2002 5:58:06 AM

see? we are quizzie twins!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:36:20 AM

And I thought it was pretty accurate, too! LOL

[jbc2b?]

7/31/2002 11:45:00 PM

purple_stardust

* This post is only visable to justharry, grimkitten, sf_rose, and myself. *

There seems to be some interest in a JBC2B group, Harry. I think it's a good idea, with enough unique issues to merit another community. Do you mind if I start one? Do you want to? Do you want to share?

I think it would be great for people to be able to talk to others who have been where they are now, get an idea of what to expect, and help future JBCs in return.

Rose, here is the post that started all this in the community. I included you in on this because you are an outspoken Jew-By-Choice-To-Be, and I thought you might have some valuable input. :)

So what do you guys think?

Comments:

From:	sf_rose
Date:	8/1/2002 12:14:43 AM

I think it's a

*splendid* idea...I've been thinking about it for sometime myself! =0)

In fact, I went so far as to create a community, but not to "announce" it because I had some concerns. See here...

jbcs (jews by choice)

I'll be frank. I don't want (and pardon my french) shit from people like

marlowe1. For your background, Harry, Marlowe is a orthodox convert to be. He's quite opininated (which is fine), but has an irritating tendency to see anything that doesn't fit his criteria of modern orthodoxy as less than. When I formally convert as a reconstructionist jew, he won't recognize my conversion. Neither will most orthodox and some conservative shuls. I'm fine with that. But he's antagonistic, whether he's aware of it or not. I actually admire his dedication and respect him. I don't respect his attitude towards those who have a differing belief. Anyway. You may know this or not, but there you have it.

They're welcome as long as they're not there to hold themselves in judgement over people's journey and process. I hesitated about starting a community because I don't be the bad guy if I let Marlowe1 in and he start messing with people's heads and hearts and I had to ban him. I'd be willing to be co-moderator. Maybe we should float the question in weird jews? to see what interest there is?

I agree it should be primarily focused on

jews by choice 2 b
jews by choice
and their friends and supporters...

no messianic types, of course...

i think there is a need for this kind of group for jbcs even *after* they convert. they can provide encouragement to people who considering converting. also, some people may have issues about being fully accpeted in a particular community. i'm asian american, so i'm particularly self conscious at this point in terms how people will perceive me. i've heard stories of jbcs not always being treated kindly, so it's nice to be able to have a place to go if you run into that....

anyway, those are my thoughts...let me know what you guys think. I'm with one hundred and uh...fifty six percent. (i just made that up.) =o)

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:12:25 AM

Re: I think it's a

I think you're right about people like Marlowe, and I think the easiest thing to do would put a warning in the bio that converts of ALL movements are accepted, and that NO "which movement is right" arguements will be tolerated. Period.

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	8/1/2002 1:26:03 AM

I'm excited for you guys to do this. I think it's a wonderful idea and I think that it will probably be a great support group and place of learning for JBCs and JBCs2B. I'm behind it 100%. I do agree with

sf_rose about potential orthodox troublemakers though and Im not really sure what I would do about it either. On one hand you can't restrict their freedom to express their views but on the other hand they can't just go in there and declare themselves the only 'real converts' in there. I HATE that smug attitude. I have a really hot temper sometimes (as I'm sure is evident in a few places in weirdjews) so I'd probably just ban them as soon as they started with their rhetoric. But, that's just me and my Irish/German blood talkin'. hehe

I would, however, put a very detailed description of what is and is not going to be tolorated in the community bio, sort of like Brandon did in weirdjews. Specificly state that no one under any circumstances can tell another convert that they are not or will not be jewish reguardless of personal opinion or something like that. Wording will be key.

I'll help in anyway I can. Go do it! :D

From:	sf_rose
Date:	8/1/2002 9:13:28 AM

Yay!

I would, however, put a very detailed description of what is and is not going to be tolorated in the community bio, sort of like Brandon did in weirdjews. Specificly state that no one under any circumstances can tell another convert that they are not or will not be jewish reguardless of personal opinion or something like that. Wording will be key.

I'll help in anyway I can. Go do it! :D

Oh yes. We will... =0) And you know me. WOOF! WOOF!

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:14:08 AM

no one under any circumstances can tell another convert that they are not or will not be jewish

EXACTLY. And if he tries to, we'll have Harry smote him. ;)

From:	grimkitten_
Date:	8/1/2002 12:01:43 PM

LOL

From:	justharry
Date:	8/1/2002 1:56:06 AM

LEts do it...send me some mail...and we will has it out.

From:	sf_rose
Date:	8/1/2002 9:21:46 AM

Alrighty. Just sent you email.

So, this is directed at you and MadNessie...

So are you and MadNessie into being co-moderators?

Also, I'll draft a community bio -- anything you two want to include? I'm for borrowing lots of language and attitude from Weird Jews.

Should we go ahead and "announce" the community in weird jews, since it's already set up? or wait until we have an official "bio"?

From:	justharry
Date:	8/1/2002 9:47:11 AM

Re:

Yes I think so. I can't speak for her but I am certainly game.

And lets makes sure the T's are crossed before we make an announcement. I would also probably like to pose a question in the first post to sort of get the discussion rolling.

Off to read your mail.

H

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 10:19:56 AM

I agree, let's get our stuff together before we go public. It shouldn't take long.

Also, I like the idea of an initial question, preferably something thought-provoking. :)

And I sent you an email, Harry, cc'd to Rose.

From:	sf_rose
Date:	8/1/2002 12:14:58 PM

Cool...

I'll go ahead and draft a community bio -- get it out to you in the next coupla days... I'm really, really excited about this... =0)

Sorry to do so much of communication via LJ -- it's just a bit easier than doing individual emails at work... =0/

I'm curious to hear what your "first question" is Harry...

=0)

We can talk later about the nuts and bolts of running the community...I need to reread that community faq mahself...

From:	purple_stardust
Date:	8/1/2002 12:37:40 PM

Re: Cool...

I'm excited too! I think there are plenty of issues unique to people who've converted...

For example, I know a girl who was born Jewish. She doesn't go to shul, can't speak a word of Hebrew, doesn't keep kosher, etcetera... but some people will always see her as "more Jewish" than me, even if I convert and do all of those things. Sometimes I believe them.

There's the whole echnicity vs religion aspect. There's being Jewish in a Christian family. There's holidays with mixed families, and how to handle them.

And then there are just basic "what to expect" questions: what will the rabbi ask at the first meeting, what should you be reading, what can you expect when you go to a synagogue for the first time, what does the bet din ask, etcetera.

Many, many, many things to talk about! :)

From:	sf_rose
Date:	8/1/2002 1:21:52 PM

Re: Cool...

Absolutely -- lots of good questions! The whole who's a jew question is complicated...because Judaism is (for a number of reasons) more than just a religion...

I'm sure we'll have have a lot of good discussions... =0)