8 Things You Don't Know

1. Postage rates are going up in May - use up all those $0.42 stamps and start hording the "Forever" stamps - hey, it's safer than the stock market.
2. You can watch recent episodes of Masterpiece Theater online. (PS - do it!)
3. You can't send a package media rate through the USPS if it is in a Priority Mail box (but you can wrap said box in brown paper and not tell the postal worker).
4. A 4K race is 2.48 agonizing miles, but sounds cooler.
5. They canceled Dr. Drew's daytime radio show (How dare you!)
6. Dihydrogen Monoxide is a serious threat to us all! (OK, that one was just for fun.)
7. Plasma TVs don't need to be recharged. (Hopefully, you did know this.)
8. HBO is creating a TV series out of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency!

It is good to have an outlet for all my random info bits. Stay tuned for more!

Free Cosmetics!

Hi y'all! Today you are in for a special treat! As a reward for all you faithful readers out there, I have arranged for you to be able to pick up some free products at your favorite beauty counter tomorrow. Really!

http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com/

Ok, Ok, it wasn't me, but that shouldn't stop you. So swing by Bloomie's, pick up something nice tomorrow, and watch the Inauguration later at home while relaxing in a bath with some expensive-but-free-to-you Ralph Lauren Romance Shower Gel.

A Lunar Roll sounds like some sort of celestial pastry.

I am blogging tonight from my office - I should be working, but I find it difficult to take any task seriously at 6 minutes shy of midnight. It's OK, though, I have already put in a full day's work, so now I am just trying to kill time until I need to get over to Goddard for the Terra Lunar Roll (we tilt the satellite around until the optics which are normally pointed into the abyss of space can look at the Moon). Fun-ness.

I had a loverly weekend. I finally had a few-hour chunk on Sunday to address the exponentially growing chaos that is my apartment. I got most of my Christmas stuff put away and got the regular stuff under control.

This weekend is a long weekend! Yay! Although I will not really be able to enjoy it due to all of the pre-inaugural craziness going on - seriously, I don't know if the hysteria is expressed to other parts of the country, but all they talk about on the news is how crowded and overwhelmed the infrastructure of greater DC will be this weekend and on Tuesday. I think I am needing to be at work, too, I can't hibernate in my apartment. My game plan is to work from 5AM to 1PM, and scoot on home while everyone else is glued to the TV - I don't mind a slight delay if it means my commute isn't 3 hours long! Can you tell I don't like these kind of crowds? They make me nervous and short-tempered. Anyway, if anyone needs a last minute place to crash, you can come stay with me!

Next weekend is the SSAI Gala! Woot! I love seeing everyone dressed up and dancing with their spouses. This year, we have a pretty sizable posse. Bring it!

Over the summer, I signed up to be a Big Sister. It has been months and I have not heard one thing from them, not even "Hey, we aren't intersted in you." So I am thinking about other options. Anyone have any suggestions? I am thinking something with kids and school or science/math. I am kinda irked by Big Brothers/Big Sisters, so I am eager to get with a well-run organization - although I guess that non-profits aren't exactly known for their excellent management! Hmmm... maybe a Presbyterian program? Us Presbyterians are really good at organization. I can imagine a lot of people are turned off by that attribute, but it does help things get done, and that is the point, no?

In other news, I am going to sign up for a 4K, which takes place in a few short weeks. Think good thoughts!

ttfn

There's a bathroom on the right.

If you don't know to what I am referring, you need a quick lesson!

In a record second complete short-circuit of my brain, I somehow agreed to run a race...

not a 1K...

not a 2K...

not a 3K...

not a 4K...

not a 5K...(!)

not a 6K...

not a 7 K...

but...

an 8K!!

If I ever become a dictator in a country threatening nuclear annihilation of the US, make a mental note to send in Clare to negotiate. Melanie - if you are reading this - if you are up for an 8K in the middle of March, please join us! Or we can find a 5K before or after sometime - I think there are more options now. I was at the gym twice this week. Although I try to get in at least twice a week and something more major on the weekend, it doesn't usually happen. I was on the elliptical yesterday, I forgot how much I liked it. (Although 'like' is relative.)

I have worked a lot this week - post holiday crunch time. But Roy is coming to visit tomorrow! How fun!

Can I just take this moment to say that Jim Vance annoys the living daylights out of me?

Can I also take this moment to ask when, for the love of all that is good and holy, will football season ever end?

I often think of something especially witty or insightful to say. I then proceed to forget it, so that when I finally get around to writing it down, I am left telling you all that I have just forgotten that thing instead of actually saying it. For some reason, I remember the writing advice of Roald Dahl - when you think of a good idea, write it down somewhere. He said that he once had an idea while driving, but didn't have a pen or paper. So, he got out of his car and wrote a word in the dust on his car - 'Elevator.'

I've been promising myself I would do some sewing and crafting this winter, and so far it is a non-starter. I am contemplating kick-starting it with a locker hooking class on Sunday at G Street Fabrics. They are having a two for one class sale. Now if only I can make it all the way over there tomorrow after work!

Here is a list of all the things I should have done this week and haven't yet:

1. Write Thank You notes for all my lovely and thoughtful Christmas presents.
2. Call or email my friend who is moving back to India for good! I will miss you, Saurabh!
3. Take down my copious amounts of Christmas decorations. (OK, not that copious.)
4. Email or call about 10 people I owe communication to.
5. Write in my blog. (OK, cross that one off)
6. The dishes, even though I have a dishwasher.
7. The laundry.

One last thing - if you have the chance - make sure you watch Tess of the D'Urbervilles on Masterpiece Theater - the first part was this Sunday and was *really* good. I mean up there with Jane Eyre. They should re-air the first part and the second part will be on Sunday night - check it out it is worth the trouble. The rest of the Masterpiece Theater 'Classic' season looks really good, too. Wuthering Heights and a Dickens series! I am so excited!

Have a great Friday, everyone!

The last few minutes of 2008...

were spent watching my parents sleep in their chair. Which is also how I spent the first few minutes of 2009. Which is also how I spent the first few minutes of 2008, and the last few of 2007.

But, really, folks - it was a very nice evening. My parents and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner with Clare, and got a table right away thanks to the greatest waitress in the world, Sarah! We had a really nice time, despite the fact that now Clare will never eat another peanut or maraschino cherry. Don't ask.

Christmas was really great, too. It was so nice to have a few days off and spend them with the fam. Thanks to everyone that sent a Christmas card - I love them all!

I wish you a blessed and prosperous New Year.