Greg at MyLifeAsaFischer.com got it right with this observation. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and everyone is entitled to express those opinions on their own web space.

There’s nothing at all wrong with having an opposing view. What a bland, pallid world we would live in (I think it’s called Stepford) if we all thought alike. The trick is in being adult enough to recognize that (1) not everyone will agree with you; and (more importantly) (2) not everyone has to agree with you. Consider yourself lucky if you are fortunate enough to possess the skills necessary to present your view in such a way as to sway others.

To me, it just feels good being heard sometimes. Don’t read any more into it than that. Quite a few people would do well to pay heed to Greg’s words.

You know, I have refrained from speaking about this issue on my blog, although it has been bothering me for several weeks now. I have told one or two of my friends. But what the hell. I want to know if I’m being petty or silly about this. Or if my skin is too thin.

Suppose you had a birthday. (Okay, I know it’s a reach, but just IMAGINE IT if you will!) And your birthday was on a Sunday. And your employer acknowledged your birthday Monday morning by stating “I forgot your gift on my kitchen counter, but I promise I’ll bring it tomorrow.” And forgets.

And forgets. And forgets. And then sends an email to you PROMISING to bring it the next day (Friday).

And two weeks later you have nothing to show for it except the head cold that she passed on to you.

How much would that bother you? To be honest with you, the thing that bothers me about it is the fact that she felt OBLIGATED. Until my other boss had come up to me the previous Friday asking me what kind of cake I wanted (cake for WHAT?), I had completely forgotten about it.

I think we just need to have a heart to heart because these gift-giving occasions seem to be fraught with pitfalls for the unwary or the uninitiated.

Is it really that difficult? I’ve always found it easy, and very enjoyable, to shop for gifts for my friends and loved ones at birthdays and holidays. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to do something — however small and insignificant — for someone I care about.

But I swear, I’m about ready to declare myself a Jehovah’s Witness[1] so that I can spare everyone around me what must be a very painful and terrifying ordeal!

[1] Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or Christmas.

I had been using Zempt, a blogging tool specifically for MovableType blogs. It had been running fine until it threw out a weird error message in the middle of the Blogathon the other night.

Then I went into the bedroom and blogged the remainder of the ‘Thon on my Armada laptop, where Zempt is NOT installed. So I was using the MT interface.

Tonight, I’m trying to use Zempt and it refuses to put a category on any of my posts and hangs each time I hit “Publish.” I have to do the “three finger salute” to bring up the Windows Task Manager and kill it there.

Weird. I’m going to uninstall the program and then reinstall it. Any more shenanigans and this little proggy is going to go the way of Geek Log. (Don’t even ask.)

Listening to: Round And Round – Ratt – Countdown 1981 (04:24)

Saturday night, while I was busy with the Blogathon, I caught T.A.T.U., a great girl band from Russia, on Mad TV. One of the songs they were singing was quite catchy and upbeat. I went scrounging around for it (I must really like a song to go doing that) and found it. So get it while you can.

All The Things She Said.

All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (3x)
All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (2x)
All the things she said
All the things she said
This is not enough,
enough (Echo 3x)

I’m in serious shit, I feel totally lost
If I’m asking for help it’s only because
Being with you has opened my eyes
Could I eva believe such a perfect surprise?

I keep asking myself, wondering how
I keep closing my eyes but I can’t block you out
Wanna fly to a place where it’s just you and me
Nobody else so we can be free (Echo 1x)

All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (3x)
All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (2x)
All the things she said
This is not enough [wa wa] (2x)

All the things she said
All the things she said

All the things she said
All the things she said

All the things she said
All the things she said

All the things she said

And I’m all mixed up, feeling cornered and rushed
They say it’s my fault but I want her so much
Wanna fly her away where the sun and rain
Come in over my face, wash away all the shame
When they stop and stare – don’t worry me
‘Cause I’m feelin’ for her what she’s feeling for me
I can try to pretend, I can try to forget
But it’s driving me mad, going out of my head

All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (3x)
All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (2x)
All the things she said
This is not enough (2x)

All the things she said (11x)

Mother looking at me
Tell me what do you see?
Yes, I’ve lost my mind

Daddy lookin’ at me
Will I eva be free?
Have I crossed the line?

All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (3x)
All the things she said
All the things she said
Runnin’ through my head (2x)
All the things she said
This is not enough (2x)

All the things she said (Echo 3x)

Listening to: Tatu – All The Things She Said – T.A.T.U. – 200 kmh In the Wrong Lane (03:36)

Joanie has a post taking issue with Kate’s rant of this weekend. All throughout Joan’s post, she smugly talks about how much Kate “has.” As if relative wealth and a scenic view are any insurance against misery or unhappiness. Since when is “whining” the sole province of the weak, the unattractive, the lonely, or the middle-class? Girl, please. And as I recall, she never once even suggested she was speaking for all womankind. Only for herself. You may wish to reread her excellent post. And you may do so here.
Read more .. »

Acidman pondered the dangers of walking up to “wimmin” on the street and asking them out. Like a “cold” sales call. He could do no worse than to follow Eddie Rabbitt’s lead and just take it Step By Step. Of course, after that, it’s all up to him. He may end up singing Nazareth’s lament, Love Hurts.

Grab ‘em now. They’ll be gone by sundown tomorrow!

Listening to: Rock Me Tonite – Billy Squier – Countdown 1981 (04:56)

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that made it possible for me to accomplish this, my first Blogathon. First, to the wonderful people who sponsored my cause, Adopt-A-Cat of Houston:

Michelle of Chastitycatt
Beer Mary of Rant-O-Rama
Venomous Kate of Electric Venom
Two Anonymous Cowards
Queen MedB of Queen MedB’s Castle
My buddy in the trenches, Dixie
Lisa Foronda of KHOU-TV
Rob of GutRumbles
Loretta of Observations of a Misfit
Michael of Starhawk
Sheila, my friend, co-hort, co-worker, Thelma to my Louise, and fellow Girl Tekkie, of Way2Happy.com
Frank of Sivad’s Soapbox
Kymberlie of The Neurotic Fishbowl
Jaynee of Cootiehog.com

Kudos to those fellow bloggers who blogged on through the night and especially to those whom I sponsored:

Greg of My Life as a Fischer
Lynda of So Very Posh
Pixie at PixieCrap

And to everyone who came by and visited my blog, cheered me on, and nudged me awake. Thank you!

I was able to raise $400 for Adopt-A-Cat of Houston.

My plan is to sign off now, take a nap and leave this blog up for a day or two. Then, I’ll remove the URL redirect so that regular blogging at jonielectric.com can continue. I’ll then import the entries from this blog into my primary blog. Later, everyone!

Listening to: Give Me The Night (extended) – George Benson – Album (05:02)

This guy has more excuses than Carter has little pills. And his wife isn’t too bright either. And of course, nothing is their fault. Someone else is to blame. Sheesh. Lock them up and throw the key away. Before Uncle Charlie has to pay them a visit.

So far since eight o’clock yesterday morning (23 hours ago), I’ve had five cups (not little ones either!) of coffee with Hazelnut creamer, seven glasses of iced tea, two chicken/avocado/sour cream tacos on corn tortillas, two “dog nuts,” glazed, thank you very much, a barbecue beef sandwich with bread and butter pickles, some Classic Lays potato chips, a smoked turkey wing, some extra sharp cheddar cheese and a peach.

Still not motivated to go get that bowl of cereal. It will have to levitate itself in here!

This image is doing duty as wallpaper on my laptop. This photo was posted in the Usenet newsgroup alt.pets.cats by the cat’s proud owner. Caption? “First kill.” Maybe it’s kinda sorta gross, but it is, after all, nature. And as the 80s duo TimBuk3 once sang, Cats will be cats, remember these words. Cats will be cats, and cats eat birds.