Happy Friday

Happy Friday...the 13th!!!  (I cannot help but love this absolutely weird photoshop pic.  It is demented.  Who thought of doing this in the first place?  And are they freely roaming the streets?!?)

Armistice/Veteran's Day

Downtown Seattle, 2:30 pm. Haven't had a chance to thank a living veteran yet, but thanked Grandpa & Papa in my heart.

Blinded

The Daystar! It burns!

Angry!

I have a few (not many) socio-political issues that really, really rile me up--there are many that don't. I could give a crap about paying taxes--there will always be taxes. Don't really care about illegal aliens--enriching our culture or ruining our social services, stealing our jobs or contributing to the economy, arguments can be made either way and I just don't think it is a priority concern. Not passionate at all about states' rights vs. the Federal government. But universal women's rights are basic and IMPORTANT. Women are everywhere, every race and religion, and are treated across the board as less-than-men for no logical or justifiable reason. I read an article about a legal measure with unknown consequences for women's rights and unforeseeable applications against women in the state of Colorado, which may be enacted even though it is 2009 and we are living in the future! My bullshit-o-meter pinged up past the red line for this one. Also, WTF is up with the Personhood movement?!? The language used by this group is laughable. "Pre-born child"? I guess unborn is "too negative." Just like "pro-life" sounds so righteous, when they really could have gone with "anti-choice" or "Babies: worth more than women." Why is it so difficult to treat women as people rather than either sacred, untouchable goddess-like creatures or simple, hollow baby vessels? Why should a woman's life decisions, good or bad, be any more or less legally actionable than a man's? Why is a collection of cells/baby ranked above the woman/mother who carries it in terms of rights? South Carolina, you have FAIL.

What to do about this? I went to the NOW website. I Signed the Pledge, and maybe you will at least look at it too...?

Side-note
My personal feelings on childbearing/rearing are a) I don't want a kid, but b) I'm happy for you to have one if you want one and I'll pay taxes to educate and care for your wee one and I'll smile at it on the bus and chat with it and admire its cuteness, however please don't bring it to an R-rated movie or sit-down restaurant late at night and don't try to tell me I should behave differently because there is a child present.

Exponential

This is a fabulous video proving that we are cursed/blessed to lived in interesting times. So it goes.

Halloween pre-show: Even Stevphens

I love this old clip from The Daily Show. The two funniest/cutest Stevphens ever plus re-lived childhood trauma, druidic cabal, and candy? AWESOME.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Even Stevphen - Halloween
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Saturday

Bakery Nouveau, West Seattle. Twice-baked almond croissant, here I come!

Stuck in my head! Sweet lemonade!

I am officially cursing the Upstairs Crowd for showing me the (NSFW--Not Safe For Work) video and getting the song stuck in my head! J and J, I curse you!!
http://www.getonmyhorse.com/
And some associated avatars I saw out and about using The Google:

"I think you'll find that the universe pretty much covers everything."

Look forward to a real post covering the Texas trip and this week's assorted miscellany on the morrow.

Color study 3

 

I think I need to stop taking artsy pics with my phone.  The colors are far more vivid in real life.

Color study 2

Less light than I'd like.

Color study

Fall! Focus fail!  Good thing this was about color, not composition.

Saturday morning in Texas

Plain Jane socks in Madelinetosh sock (Elfin colorway), outside at The Green Chai Cafe in downtown Bastrop. Sunshine and 70 today!

More sauce, please

The quintessential Texas experience: brisket at The Salt Lick!

Mighty Fine

Lunch! Lemonade shake & fresh-cut crinkle fries.

Texas, in bite-sized portions

Foodie update!  Last night's dinner came from Guadalajara, one of Bastrop's nicest Mexican restaurants.  I had the steak fajitas (with guacamole!) to accompany beans, rice, and copious quantities of fresh chips and salsa.  Mr. Janssen's burrito came with [chili con] queso, which he gladly forked over in exchange for a bite of steak.  Mmmm, queso.  Breakfast this morning is homemade pumpkin pancakes with Greek yogurt and pineapple juice.  I love visiting Mom!

The trip down was easy.  I think that Alaska's new direct flight from SEA to AUS may be the easiest flight I've ever taken, in fact.  The plane was mostly full but not packed, in-flight service was pleasant, and boarding and exiting the aircraft was a breeze.  I even got to knit during takeoff and landing. (Note to @FreezeRae: I took the picture with my phone set to Flight mode, so no interference with equipment.  Perfectly legal and safe.)

Emma, my parents' new dog, and I have bonded.  She loves being loved.  She is silent as the grave and has a piercing blue-eyed stare.  She snuggles.  She is a good dog.

I set up the Wii last night and gave my folks a demo using Lego Indiana Jones.  (I do so love Lego Sean Connery.)  Making a Mr. Janssen Mii was fun, and it includes the gray handlebar mustache and Klingon hairdo.  Can't wait to see them test Wii Sports and their new Wii Fit, and to kick Mr. J's ass at Mario Kart.

Today Mom and I are off to the outlet mall at Round Rock (Le Creuset! Eddie Bauer! Gap!) and then "dunch", dinner/lunch, at The Salt Lick.  Mmmm, barbeque and beer...