Okay, the day started and ended well, I'll say that much. A trip out to have lunch with a friend before she leaves on vacation Monday was nice and I got to buy some purty yarns. That was how I started my day.

After lunch we were talking in the parking lot and I noticed my tire was flat. No biggie - let's just change the sucker.

I fully admit that I do not know how to change my own tire and I admit to a certain gender bias and know that it's politically incorrect male bashing, but I always say when this happens (and it happens more times than I care to admit) "how hard can it be? Men do it!" It's a little pep talk I give myself.

That said, I will admit to my method for changing a tire. While my girlfriend was trying to convince me to call AAA (yeah, right! She lives in the sticks, I'd probably STILL be waiting) I got out the spare, the jack, the uh...lug-nutty removal thingy (it's all part of the routine) and some twisty apparatus that looked important. First step - really look like you're changing the tire. I loosened the lug nuts and manage to jack the car up - easy peasy. I got as far as removing a lug nut when four lovely men came and asked me if I needed help. And that is how I've learned to change a tire.

Of course, each time I've gotten a flat I've gotten a little further in the routine just by sheer practice (I always overinflated my tires in college - blew one just about every 6 months or so). But I've never actually changed the tire.

The spare is on and I'm good to go. Stop by Sears to get the tire fixed (there's a small metal "staple" in the tire tread) because that's where I got the tires and I got the road hazard thing that whatever goes wrong with the tire they fix it. I've been very vigilent about looking after the tires - taking advantage of the free rotation every 3 months and such.

Turns out they can't fix the tire because it's worn through to the steel. Last had them looked at in April/May. Fine. Buy the new stinkin' tire.

Hop on the freeway and head home. Stupid hunk-a-junk overheats. I turn the heat on - something that is always pleasant in summertime - and it does absolutely no good. When I get off the freeway the temp gauge goes way low and I start to think the heater trick is working but then I go uphill. Back up to hot, hot, hot.

I make it home and pop the hood. Smoke. Nice. I take off the radiator cap (I used a towel, I'm really not that stupid....despite what it about to follow) and I think oh it can't be that hot.....I was only overheated for about 5-7 miles. Lets just add the coolant now. Yeah, that's where the stupid comes in. I used a funnel and after pouring about a cup or so of coolant in it starts to boil! Zowie was that cool!

So my poor stupid car sits in the lot waiting for some tender loving care.

Here's a list of all the care it needs:
-wheel alignment
-new front tire
-fuel infection service
-tuneup
-new antennae
-oil leak
-smog test
-radiator leak?
-electrical is all funky
-brakes are due in another month

I wonder if there's a local garage that takes tbucks....

It's almost 1:30 and I'm tired. I tried making one of those Jessica Simpson shawls tonight and failed. I really misread the instructions. Duh. Although, maybe that's appropriate since it is the Jessica Simpson shawl.

Do you suppose she really is that dumb? Or is it just an act? I mean, I know Mensa ain't knocking down her door begging her to learn them something, but really, can a person be THAT stupid and still get around in life? I mean, if that's how she really is, she's as dumb as a box of rocks on a Sunday morning....know what I mean? It depresses me when I see evidence that people didn't take advantage of a free education.

I read a new phrase the other day - forgot where - "thumb generation" referring to the young people who are growing up in the text message era where you don't have to spell or punctuate. I wonder how that will play out in the future. It has to be frustrating to be a teacher now. I envision a future where feature articles read like the classifieds: 2day n da mideast 14 peeps wuz kild when da bomb went off. Sigh.

I'm just a birthday away from saying "back in my day..."

Playing: Still Not A Playa, Big Pun

Live Long, Get Your Party On

I'm too tired to come up with something clever, and yet I feel the need to write today.

So, here are some funny pictures of things I've caught my Sims doing:

Junior and Missy Stupid: I tried to re-arrange the furniture while they were sleeping.


Miko Doozer: I don't know what's going on here, but she did it a lot (cried IN the furniture) and then she stopped.


Obsessed Fan: He was getting on my nerves so every time he shows up now I torture him. I took the ladders out of the pool hoping he'd drown and he wound up swimming all over the lot!

So, I've been pretty weirded out about turning 40. I don't know why. It's just a number right? I guess I always thought I'd have kids, but now.....who knows...the stats are against my favor, but it can still happen.

Anyway, I was doing my mom's makeup today and whenever I do that it's like looking into my own time-trippy mirror. I don't think I much look like my mother, but others have said I do.

One of my big concerns about turning 40 is looking 40. I know I'm vain about it, but gosh, I'm so glad I don't look 40. But then I have these moments when, what if I wake up one day and BOOM there are the crow's feet and the wrinkles? Will I have the grace to accept them or will I be knock, knock, knocking on some plastic surgeon's door?

I used to think cosmetic surgery was just a waist of money but now here I am making a list. I don't have that much I'd like done - just a chin reduction (I'd like ONE, please) and the micro-lipo under my arms (for the UADD - under-arm dingle dangle) and inside my knees. These are areas I can't seem to trim with any kind of exercise.

One of my friends just had a tummy tuck. She's not fat at all, but she has had 5 kids and no amount of crunches was going to help. She doesn't look any different, but she feels different when she's without her clothes. That's important too.

Another friend had a face lift. It was totally unnecessary. She doesn't look old at all. She says she's not supposed to look way different, just "fresher" and well rested. I'd rather take a vacation....

Anyway, back to Mom. I'm putting on her makeup and I notice that she has no wrinkles. Great cheekbones, beautiful skin, no crow's feet - nothin'. In fact, the only indication of her 64 years is when I put her eyeshadow and lipstick on, there isn't as much elasticity in her skin and it takes a few secs to "bounce" back to its original location. That ain't bad!

40? Bring it on, baby! Bring it on!

Got this from Snootyboot's blog!

31.25 %

My weblog owns 31.25 % of me.
Does your weblog own you?

My mom is visiting for the weekend and we're to be out and about. Going for breakfast this morning and hanging out. I'm always happy when I don't have to think about work. It's been so draining lately.

My interview yesterday either went really well, or really badly - it's hard to tell. It was short - about a half an hour - and I'm still trying to figure out if it was because it was obvious I was the wrong candidate or obvious that I was the right one. No matter.

I'm not sure if this is the right job for me. Sort of the same thing I'm doing now, but for more money. Which doesn't sound like a bad thing, but I'm bored all to pieces now with the drudgery, so why would I sign up for more of the same simply for a few extra dollars?

Still, to get out of where I am now, that just may be the ticket. Probably I should wait to see if I get an offer before I make a decision, huh?

Aaah! Relief! Friday I sent my screenplay in, after much frenetic craziness, and although I started to cry at the post office just thinking that all this work could be tossed out the window if I forgot to dot one i or cross one t. Nerve-wracking, that.

But after a weekend of vegging, watching Sex in the City and eating a bit of junk food, I am now one of the normal ones again.

I feel like my screenplay was good work and that it makes me a very viable candidate for the program. If not, I did my best and I learned a lot and am more ready for next year.

I have a job interview on Thursday. I have a fair chance of getting it as it is basically the same job I do now. The only hope is that by present supervisor doesn't do me like she's done so many others and just dog them out in the references.

My one worry is that since the job is similar to what I'm doing now that, if I do get it, it will quickly become as boring as the one I have now. Although it's a higher classification, I guess I could be a little bored for more money.

There's another job I really want and I was talking to a friend about it today. He's going to see if there's any influence he can exert - he thinks I would do really well there.

Anyway, there's not much of an update. My mom is coming out on Thursday and staying the weekend. It should be fun. I'm hoping she's feeling generous and will buy me shoes.... :D

Speaking of which I am still broke. I sold some stuff on eBay and made $60 but it hasn't transferred to my account just yet. Prolly tomorrow. BUT I don't have gas., so that will be interesting. I'm hoping I have a check in the mail when I get home and that will solve the whole mess.

This is the last month of poverty. Next month I get 3 checks and in September I have a couple of payments due me and on September 10 I go back to full-time. That October paycheck is going to feel like manna from Heaven.

I haven't written about the recent performances. I went to see Hairspray last week - it was so, so good! I think I liked it better than The Producers! I love the John Waters movie so I was a little wary about the stage production, but it got rave reviews, so I thought" what the hay!" I'm still mad about missing Contact, so it was in my best interest to have caught this one.

Anyway, earlier in the year (when I was cash flush) I bought season tickets. It's been fun - wish I could afford to do it every year. At first it seemed kind of strange buying just a ticket for myself, but now I think I may prefer it. I sit next to the same people, other season ticket holders, so that's like going with someone. And since I'm so broke, going by myself means I don't have to go out to dinner first or coffee afterward. I didn't even pay for parking this time!

Back to the play - Bruce Vilanch was fabulous as Edna Turnblad (the role originally played by the late Divine). And I loved the girl who played Penny - she was hysterical. I can't even write, thinking how great it was. If it's not coming to your town, rent the movie at least.

Last night I went to hear Jill Scott. It was kind of brazen of me - no tickets, no money, not sure if I even had enough gas.... but I went. I just love her music: neo-soul with a funk edge. I sat outside the venue with the other poor saps who came trying to buy tickets to the sold out show and I felt like I was even lower on the totem pole, cuz I didn't have no kinda cash.

It was nice though, I could hear the show, when people weren't talking, and she was only going to perform for 70 minutes. If I didn't get in, I was going to leave after 45 minutes - sometimes you can get a free ticket if you're patient. There was this other girl there who was trying to buy a ticket. After about 50 minutes one of the guys says we can go in if we give the ticket guy 3 good reasons why we should be let in. We took off at the chance. That question changed to name 6 of the songs Jill Scott has recorded. We stammered. Especially funny since the two of us had been listening to her all day and we could only name 3 songs! Finally, he asked what song she won a Grammy for and BAM we were in! Supposedly there was only supposed to be about 15 minutes of concert left, but she sang until 10:30 or so. And considering I could hear from outside, I think I got a good deal for my money.

And that is how I, Abbie Darling, got to see my favorite vocalist perform for free! Yay!

I thought I was getting along pretty well this summer - usually my place is so unbelievably hot that I have to sleep in the living room (call it my summer home). And so far, this summer it's not been bad. I haven't moved to my summer home except for once.

However, yesterday I thought I was gonna pass out when I opened the door! It was H-O-T! The only way it coulda been hotter was if Taye Diggs was in there - and I checked...he wasn't.

So I sat on the lanai (my balcony - its all about the presentation, honey. 600 square feet sounds bad until you mention you have a summer home and a lanai....) and read my book - The Jane Austen Book Club - which is turning out to be quite good.

Unfortunately that meant I could proof and reproof my script until after 9pm. Worked till almost 3 and now I'm a zombie here at work. Pretending to do important things so I don't collapse over the keyboard.

Say a prayer....

[url=http://www.crosswalk.com/news...]Bush and Islam[/url]

The "mission statement" of the Free Congress Foundation is as follows.
Free Congress Foundation is politically conservative, but it is more than that: it is also culturally conservative. Most think tanks talk about tax rates or the environment or welfare policy and occasionally we do also. But our main focus is on the Culture War. Will America return to the culture that made it great, our traditional, Judeo-Christian, Western culture? Or will we continue the long slide into the cultural and moral decay of political correctness? If we do, America, once the greatest nation on earth, will become no less than a third world country.


At the end of the Crosswalk/Agape Press article Weyrich says, of the comments Bush made on Islam being a religion of peace, that the President has to say those things because he is the President. But, Weyrich goes on to say, that he knows the President doesn't believe them.

I'm pissed. How can this zealot natter on about returning to our traditional, Judeo-Christian, Western culture (which, by the way brought us slavery, Japanese internment camps, McCarthyism, Jim Crow laws and Chinese labor camps...so forgive us if we're not ALL of US eager to hop on the bandwagon to the good ole days) then basically say that he knows lying is part of being the President, but as long as he knows where Bush really stands, then it's okay?

Dude, whatever happened to "let your yes be yes, and your no be no"?

Yes, this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And that's great. Religious freedom is a wonderful privilege that we're blessed to have. But you can't draft a document that demands freedom of religion, fight and die for that right only to declare that well, we were really only talking about the one religion, not this one or that one. It doesn't work that way.

And you can't claim that these Judeo-Christian principles is what made this country great. In fact, the reason why there are so many people who turn against Christianity is because throughout history Christians have used it to exclude people. What happens when people are excluded? They form their own group. And when that group gets enough power, they want the same recognition as the group that excluded them.

Christians are called to be one body, one body who exalts the fallen body of our Savior. Each and every person is a being uniquely created by God. This is what you believe if you are a Christian. If you are not a Christian, I can't speak to your belief system, I can only answer to what holds me accountable.

I am called to 1) Love the Lord my God with all my heart, my soul, my mind. 2) Love others as myself. 3)Live my life as an offering to Christ. I am not saying I've got a handle on any of this whatsoever, but the bar is raised and I am constantly aware of the goal.

Now, I can't do 1, 2 or 3 if I'm name-calling or telling people what they believe is inferior to what I believe. You can't force feed people a belief or you're no better than any other dictator. To declare the moral decay of society on political correctness is refusing to take responsibility in seeing how your own personal actions have led those you are in contact with to or from Christ.

Is it just me, or can you feel the prejudice coming off the FCF statement too? "No better than a third world country" "Culture War?" Indeed, why don't you just get out the white robes and be done with it. I'd rather deal with the wolf than the one in sheep's clothing.

I'm really tired and it's my birthday time (11:21) and I should be getting to bed cuz I only got about 4 hours last night.

But I'd thought I post something first. I was thinking - what would you do if you had absolutely no fear and success was guaranteed? I thought I knew - I would quit my job, I would take chances, I would travel more, I would be more approachable. But now I realize that is really a surface answer.

I would still have to contend with my mind - the fear of rejection, the fear of looking foolish, the fear of not being good enough, the fear of the unknown. That's the saddest thing of all, knowing that, even with the world as your oyster, even with the universe in alignment, even with wide open doors and success just a footstep away, even with God screaming YES! YES! YES ALREADY! some of us would still choose the safety of our small, little world.

I do not want to be a small-worlder. I am cut out for greater things. We all are.

Okay, not my birthday, but I'm gonna party like its my birthday!

Why?

Cause I said I was gonna do it and I did it!

What's that?

I wrote a screenplay in 30 days!

I rock. It rocks!

Go Abbie! Go Abbie!

Back to business manana....

peace out!

Sigh. I am pathetic. I've paid my bills and I have nothing left. Bills suck.

Okay, here's the thing. I've altered my work schedule so that I have every Friday off. It's nice. Until the paycheck comes and it nearly $500 less than what I'm used to getting. Considering my "living" budget is about $350 a month (that's for fun stuff after bills, groceries, gas and whatnot) these last two months have been R-O-U-G-H!

Between the electricity debaucle, my car reg (which still needs smogging, btw) and my little trip home last month I have gotten a little behind. I hate paying the minimums on credit debt. Well... I couldn't help myself there - paid a little extra just cause I was itchy...now I'm paying the price...well, not really paying cuz I got no change.

Of course, here's what I have planned this weekend - dinner tonight, lunch on Saturday and dinner on Sunday. What was I thinking?! If I put on my sunglasses, will the blinking LOSER sign fade a bit?

Got my screenwriting books through interlibrary loan yesterday and I'm a happy woman. You've got to embrace your local library, you know? I know people who have never been to a library and I just can't fathom it. How do you get books? You can't go 'round buying every book you need - doesn't make sense. Hmm, of course I may [i]need[/i] more books than average. Who is it that said, "when I get a little money I buy books. If there is anything left, I buy food and clothes."? I think I've butchered that quote, but the idea is there.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, libraries. I love that I can get a book from Fresno, who appears to be the only library on the west coast to have it, in less than a week. I especially love that I can check this book out! Take it home and read it at leisure. At my library, I don't even have to pay for this privilege.

I've loved libraries ever since I was a wee child. When I was 3 my mother used to take me once a week and she says that I wanted my very own library card early on. The librarian said I had to be able to write my name before I could be issued one, so I went home and practiced, practiced, practiced until I could. I was so happy to have my own card!

We lived in NY back then and the greatest field trip was to the main library downtown - the one with the lions in front. I wish we lived there long enough for me to graduate out of the children's section.

I've worked in....4 libraries. It was my job and hangout in college - I was always first to have a book for class. It may not be ethical but generally its cheaper to textbook than to buy it!

Why am I going on about libraries? Gee, I don't know. I guess I'm just happy that I got all my books in in time for me to use them. And 5 out of 6 came in yesterday.

So go to your local library and check out a book or a video. You'll be glad you did!

My friend and I have been sharing books and a lot of them have been from the onslaught of British Chick Lit books that have crossed the pond following the success of Bridget Jones' Diary. After reading many of the genre from Marian Keyes to Jane Green, I feel I am somewhat of an expert and, should you want to cash in on the gravy train that is "modern literature" or "women's fiction" you should follow my carefully thought out guidelines.

1. Get yourself a female character who lacks self-confidence and is nearly desparate to meet Mr. Right. She should have a slightly archaic name like Louise or Josie. Her friends will have names like Ambrosia, Felicity or Mellita - you know you've found the right one if it works as both a noun and an adjective.

2. Your heroine has just ended (more likely been dumped) a relationship that you cannot, for any reason, understand why she got involved with in the first place. The ex should be a cheater, alcoholic, slacker and/or crazy.

3. Heroine needs to have a strained relationship with her parents.

4. Post breakup, heroine will wonder if there is anyone for her in this great big world. To that end a trawl through London's pubs or hotspots is required. Necessary to complete the vignette are inappropriate clothing (too tight, wobbly heels, see-through....the possibilities are endless), too much makeup, a run-in with someone she dislikes, and too much to drink. Her friend (most likely her flatmate) will meet someone fabulous despite the fact that she, too, is inappropriately dressed and roaring drunk.

5. At some point in the story 4 things need to be mentioned. I think it's a marketing ploy set into action by the PR departments at British publishing houses. A) the heroine will mention her dingy knickers - apparently the entire country is against bleach as well as being woefully unaware you can get underwear in c-o-l-o-r-s now. B) the anticipation of someone seeing aforementioned dingy knickers leads our heroine to [i]Agent Provocateur[/i], which as far as I can tell is the pricey British version of Victoria's Secret. (sidenote: our heroine will most likely buy a La Perla bra and panty set.... peach or black, maybe pink). C) Marks and Spencer - this store is usually linked to the mother of the heroine with a certain amount of disdain. Mum either buys her knickers there or buys readymade food to pass off as homemade. Check the link - they really do have everything! D) Our heroine longs for designer duds, but she lacks the funding (at some point in the story it is good for the heroine to mention being overdrawn on her credit card - adds to the chick lit authenticity.) so she shops at Top Shop. She lives in fear that someone will discover she actually shops there. If your heroine is particularly insecure she will switch her TS merch into a trendier shopping bag before returning to work.

6. Our heroine has an unglamorous job - something in accounting or research. The people she knows with exciting jobs all work in public relations. She must also go on about how fat she is, yet at some point in the story she will have to wear one of her friend's outfits - a woman previously described and slender and beautiful. These clothes will fit.

7. Just prior to the halfway point Louise or Shelley or Jane will meet a scruffy, kind of awkward fellow who is somehow, somewhat less than her "ideal." The two will become friends of a sort - they will see each other occasionally - most likely because he is a friend of a friend. Despite the fact that they will have had approximately two meetings with brief conversations, she will think about him a lot.

8. A jaunt to the country. The heroine undoubtedly knows someone whose parents live on a country estate. She will be invited for a weekend and obsess on what to wear. When she gets there something will happen - she will be over- or underdressed, the maid will have run off with the footman, the pudding will give everyone food poisoning - use your imagination here! The one bright spot of the evening is that by some miracle, said scruffy bloke will appear and our heroine will begin to appreciate him for the nice guy that he is.

9. The ex makes an appearance. Heroine decides quickly that he's not what she wants anymore. Her true love is Mr. Scruffy and she's tossed him away like a pair of grey knickers!

10. At the end of our epic love story Louise and Scruff get together because they are soulmates and destined to be together for all time. Who cares that they've spent a total of 72 minutes in each other's company?

[b]Bibliography:[/b]
Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella
Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, Marian Keyes
Jemima J, Jane Green
Dog Handling, Clare Naylor
Amanda's Wedding, Jenny Colgan
My Life on a Plate, India Knight
Running in Heels, Anna Maxted
Foreplay, Jane Moore
For Better, For Worse, Carole Matthews.

Read 'em and tell me I'm wrong.

I am almost done with my screenplay. I will meet the deadline of completiong by Sunday so I can spend the next week in revisions. I am stunned that I was able to complete this - it was so hard at first that I didn't think it would turn out well. I had a friend read it and she said it was like the real thing.

So, I may not be up on things here for a while.... I'll be busy pulling my hair out by the roots and talking to myself!