Opposed to oleo

We're picking up steam, people, but please, keep this in mind: I like my oleo applied with a warm, gloved finger.  Or, at the very least, a spoon.  You folks are using spatulas.  That's not appreciated.

Yesterday's blog entry received a number of 'comments', but of course, they are highly suspect as SPAM, so they weren't published. Yes, in fact, I would have to say the SPAM detector filtered out all recent 'comments' as SPAM - sadly.  Even the more intelligently worded tome (below) had me going....until the very end.

"Үour stуle is sо unique соmpared tο othег pеoplе I've read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guеѕs І wіll just bookmаrk this pagе."

In closing, this anonymous commenter encouraged me to "Look into [their] web blog : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .com"

My mama didn't raise no turnips.  For that matter, she didn't give birth to no turnips (that I know of).  Do I look like a turnip? 

Then this particular SPAM-o-gram tickled my fancy as one of the less clever entries in the now daily 'contest': 
"I havе гeаd so many aгticles rеgarding thе blogger loveгs exceρt this ρaragгaph iѕ in fact a nіce аrtiсle, keep іt uρ.  Feel free to visit my web site ; " (yes, they added a site I will not make visible)

See, the trouble with publishing your comments (you 'anonymous' people), is that it would make me look equally stupid and pandering.  Most of you spammybots have a deplorable grasp of style and creativity.  You rarely reference the particular entry you comment on, and most often use a generic bull shit-written string of gibberish sentences (dead giveaway - see orange example above). 

If you were sincere - and REAL - you wouldn't be "anonymous," would you?  If you weren't SPAMmers, you would have no problem using your actual names or blogger IDs when sending a comment (if you had an actual blog you wanted to share).  I won't promote websites unless there is a damn fine reason, just so ya know.

See, in using your real ID there would be a link to your site already built in to your signature.  Or, you could subscribe to (or 'follow') this blog (or any other) in a legitimate fashion, perhaps creating a more conducive (and trustworthy) relationship of I-read-you-and-you-read-me.  That's a link to your blog as well - if it's real.

Ahhh - an atmosphere of trust.  A believable and friendly blogger kinship. [giddy with the thought]  Not a turnip convention.  Feh!

Keep your oleo.  I prefer butter, anyway.

O! M! L!

What a freaking GLORIOUS day!!!!

Opinions

Dear Mom -

This has been bothering me since dinner at Gram's, therefore, it must be important (TO ME).  So I'm just going to say it so I can stop ruminating over it.

I am not a "drama queen."  I am a rabble rouser.

There IS a difference.

Thanks.

As you were.

Oh, tell me why

This is an ongoing pet peeve.

Overheard during a newscast:
"...Police are also looking over those tapes as well."   

Look here, news directors, news writers, news producers, and NEWSCASTERS (i.e; "talking heads") - if you use the word "also" in a sentence during a story, you do NOT need to use the phrase "as well."  It just makes you look (and sound) stupid.

How come I can't get a job?

'lo, "longtime lurker"

Well...I don't think I actually stipulated that the alliteration had to begin strictly with "o", did I?

No, I don't think so.

Cleaning out the ol' inbox this afternoon (and all subsequent email-related boxes) and I found a legitimate [gasp] response/comment in with the SPAM.  I know!!

But that's how it's been lately, due to the SPAM that bloggers (myself included) are now receiving to drive up usership for useless sites that claim to drive readership for blogs that use their site to increase traffic to the actual blogs.....

ARGH!!!  I know, right!  Did you follow any of that?

Suffice to say, we all need to keep our guards up and stay vigilant online, because nefarious no-good-niks will insinuate their way into anything you will allow them to (or, won't protect yourself against).  I've had to direct comments to the SPAM filters alone, then parse out the actual legitimate responses from the poopy stuff to publish. 

Yes, I said "poopy." 

Hey, whether you blog or not, whether you read blogs or not, those creepy types will try to weasel their way past your defenses given any means possible.  So, if you comment and don't see it published right away (and you didn't write it in symbolic Chinese characters or hieroglyphs), give me a few days to filter and load, eh? 

I do appreciate your time and your feedback, unless you're trying to advertise your lawn care services or penis-growing pills via the comments section.

[sneering hatefully at the screen]

I [a-hem] don't need the penis-growing pills.  Nice try, though. [shaking head in disbelief]

Oh, and by the way - longtime lurkers are hugely welcome!  Hello, out there. :)

Ovation

The boys worked together this afternoon to rake up the mass of dead leaves in the front yard into the ditch, and for good measure, Bud obligingly took down some of the (unwanted) volunteer trees along the foundation in the front, and in the back corner near the electric meter. [massive rounds of applause and gleefulness ensue]

I'm thinking about topping the darned forsythia, too, and making it severe!  Need to get some root killer from the home improvement center, to see about truly killing off this invasive stuff once and for all. Should make digging out the roots an easier chore next spring.

Also, there are predictions for rain this afternoon and all of tomorrow, so the gutters in front need to be cleaned out of this year's foliage before the mess gets any worse - and more entrenched.  Mid-seventies for much of this week, so all outdoor stuff needs doing....and quickly!

Yug!

Stay tuned.

October observations (of the feline sort)

Cleo - the epitome of a housebound tabby

Hobbes - the meticulously over-groomed foghorn

Flop - our opulent 'fraidy-cat'

Obrigada, objectivity

 Yes, it seems stepping back from the keyboard and forgetting about trying to fascinate or please people who simply don't care (or can't be bothered to comment, ask questions, share commonalities and anecdotes, etc) has made me feel a bit better about doing this just for me.  If you feel less than apt to at least say "hello", well then.....
:^P to you.

And you SPAMming clowns out there who feel I am ignorant enough to publish your dreg remarks (poorly written, seemingly contrived by idiots, and less than clever), to have remarks under my entries all for the sake of bolstering my ego, well - go suck a goat!

Operation "Omission"

I have opted over the first two-plus weeks of October to remain silent rather than rant. To practice abstention over my need to explain, or question, or expound.

I exercised silence in hopes of finding my voice once again - but it's still missing.

The feeling that I have nothing to offer persists.  Nothing that anyone would give a rat's ass about, anyway.  My melancholia is evident in spades, and I resent it!

This time of year is usually my favorite.  The cooler days; the languid afternoon sun shining down at awkward, elongated angles; shorter hours of daylight; falling evening temps; the changing colors of the trees and foliage around the yard.  It all normally buoys my spirit and raises my happiness meter to new heights.... but not this year - and I don't know why.

Over the past few weeks I have hidden away from all of my normal activities.  Found a deep recess in the attic space of my psyche and burrowed in, wholly surrendering to oblivion and ennui.  Eshewed the handful of brilliantly sunlit days (when I would normally revel in them with my quilting projects) and ignored the overabundant dark and rainy days, keeping myself cloistered and walled off from the daily disappointment of the less-than-satisfactory responses to job applications (mostly), the ignorant SPAM comments being shovelled in this direction, and the daily barrage of Karl's strange, Autistic-shunning friend seeking help and guidance she laughingly will not give credence to. 

She is a time waster and an emotional drain.  An 'ask hole,' and unworthy of the space in my head and the indigestion she has caused. A walking whirlwind of discontent.  But, she is another story for another. No!

I've told you already, she is a drain, and I won't go there any more....never-in-a-million-years!

At any rate, I am feeling a bit more optimistic this afternoon, so I thought it might be a good time to share a little information.  Don't know how enlightening or significant you may find any of it, but here it is.

Karl's photography class is proceeding down it's slow, slow path.  It's not the sort of class he thought it would be (maybe that'll teach him to read the darned class description when mom suggests it), and it is a bit of a backward step for him, but at least he is getting outside the house once a week and having to deal with meeting new people and being in unfamiliar territory. 

We (Karl and I) had lunch with Maria in Ferndale about a week ago, and had a very nice time at a restaurant named Como's.  Always wondered about that spot every time I would pass it coming home from a film gig in the D.  Now I know! 

Thank you, Maria -- a-g-a-i-n!

I had some farm animal materials to give her (pulled from my stash, Mom) for the charm block challenge happening in the quilting guild she belongs to.  I hope she can use them, or pass them along to others who can.  Goodness knows it's all sat long enough in my collection! 

My surprise was in receiving one of her wonderful tote bags with a flap!  Made of beautiful, upholstery-like material, it's lined and has interior pockets, and a very long strap which is wide and comfy for over the shoulder use.  Thank you so much, lady, I've already had an opportunity to use it and will continue to do so!!

Been contacted for a scripty gig but most likely will be turning it down, as 'they' are unresponsive regarding questions I have, and have yet to send the script for a breakdown (production begins 10/29).  Rushing for every little scrap of time is not my ideal way of working.  Plus, the daily rate is absolute crap - AGAIN! 

Damned California production companies thinking they can undervalue MI talent while taking advantage of the incentives (what little remains of them).  I may as well continue to look for 'regular' work outside of the industry during those three weeks as opposed to all of the driving I'd be doing; spending money on gas and a place to stay, and bringing home little $ for bills and the bank.  Not worth it.  SO not worth it.

On top of all those detractors is the real issue of arranging a ride for Karl to and from class for those three weeks.  He can't afford to miss that much time....so, it's a definite "no" for this cheap Cali-indie.

Yes, Bud is still with his company, working 40 hour weeks, and they are gearing up for the holidays already - annoying music and all.  Hoping it would incentivize him to find other work while the finding is good (for his ilk), but he seems determined to stick it out at M's and continue internalizing the grief and sniping of his workmates and staff. [tsk, tsk]  He'll have an ulcer if he never leaves there.

Karl had been contacted by Target over a week ago, and had a cursory phone interview ending with the vague promise of a return call in a week's time.  Yeah, yeah...right. 

No, he hasn't heard from them again.  Yes, we know it takes time.  Yes, we are aware this particular wheel grinds slowly (if at all), but please understand how eager he is to find a job at a place he would prefer to be. 

Tall order without the Autism thrown in for good measure.  At any rate, we wait.  See? This is why I have omitted myself from blogging of late.

Tick.  Tock.   Tick.

Hope things are well for you, wherever you are.