So while I'm still waiting for my final clear to close, in the meantime I have been contemplating what will be the best television option for me. I'm hoping some of you can tell me your experience and make some recommendations.

Right now I'm a little torn between Direct TV and Cable. And wondering if there are any other options out there.

Here is my list:

No sports channels are required

HD and DVR is not required

On Demand would be nice

Internet is an absolute MUST HAVE

Also required are all the major network stations and channels like Discovery, Animal Planet, Nat Geo, A&E, History, Oxygen, WE, Hallmark, TMC, etc.

I also want to keep HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, and Encore.

I want to keep my bill under $100 per month AND I want a 2 year lock in agreement. None of this 6 month promotion BS where I all of the sudden get my cable bill and it's gone up $40.00 so I have to call Charter and go through an hour of torture arguing and negotiating my bill back down without losing my channels.

I don't need telephone so I can't save with a 3 tiered multi bundled package.

Please send me some ideas to help me make a decision!!

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 12:06 AM permalink Comments (5)

My artist friend has offered to paint a sign for my new house!! Yippe!! So now I have to come up with a name for it. I have 4 possible contenders (and I'm leaning strongly towards one) but I need your help to make the final decision.

Let me give you a little background - It's a country ranch house set on 3 acres of horse property with barns and paddocks and a big fenced in dog enclosure where needy pugs will surely be coming and going throughout the years.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 6:59 AM permalink Comments (7)

Tiger Tiger Tiger, you sleazy little man-whore. There I said what millions of women across America are thinking today.

After hearing that voicemail he left one of his mistresses, I hope the rumors are true that his wife kicked his ass and bloodied his lip.

Now we hear a lot about invasions of privacy and is it right to snoop or look. Well, in this case if she hadn't looked at his cell phone he would still be arrogantly and happily leading a double life, secretly making a mockery out of their relationship, wouldn't he?

So here is the question - If a man or woman you are intimately involved with is acting shifty, shady, or demonstrating some other sketchy kind of behavior that gives you cause for concern, do you look at their personal belongings or don't you?

Especially knowing just how it easy it is nowadays with all the various means of technology one has at their disposal, a virtual treasure trail of cookies and breadcrumbs to follow the telltale signs: Face Book, MySpace, email accounts, cell phones, text messages, caller id....heck there is even a tracking device one could plant on their vehicle.... In fact I think there's even an app for that.

It's not like the days of old when a partner could claim he was working late or drank too much and had to stay out with the guys, lost his cell phone, missed his flight, bla,bla, bla. Cheaters and liars now have to be clever enough to outsmart technology and let's face it if they are dumb enough to cheat in the first place then clearly most of them are not.

My take is that under normal healthy relationship circumstances when you completely trust the person you're with and they have never given you a reason to question or suspect their behavior then out of trust and respect it's a line you simply do not cross.

HOWEVER if something just doesn't seem quite right and all the pieces aren't adding up, your gut is screaming foul play then I believe you have every right to use whatever means are at your disposal to find out WTF is going on. Absolutely. Screw invasion of privacy, if this person is not going to be honest with you than what about invasion of your life because you wouldn't want to be with a sleazy little man-whore in the first place?

Tiger's wife is really hot too. What an idiot.

Posted by Lori in Daily , Inquiring minds , entertainment at 7:08 AM permalink Comments (8)

Another 30,000 troops
Another $30 billion dollars a year
A possible war surtax to pay for it all
Wants to make friends with the Taliban
Still haven't caught bin laden

Just curious if Obama supporters are still standing by their vote.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 8:53 PM permalink Comments (3)

With all these nasty bugs going around (Swine, H1N1, MRSA) I've been debating for the first time in my adult life actually getting a vaccine.

I know many will disagree but in general I'm against vaccinations unless you are among the: sick or elderly, are a pregnant women, child, have a weakened immune system, or happen to work in the health care system. And even then I think one needs to be careful.

I feel like if you're a generally healthy adult it may just be asking for more trouble. I personally don't like the idea of being injected with foreign strains and antibodies. My belief is supported by the fact that everyone I know who gets a flu shot ends up getting sick a week or two later....a coincidence?

Then you hear stories like this one - about a Cheerleader who got the flu shot and just 10 days later she can now only walk backwards and has suffered severe and permanent neurological damage. Very very sad.

So as I watch everyone around me scampering to their nearest clinic where flu shots are sold out I think I'm going to skip it and take my chances. Instead I'll just be even more diligent about layering on the antibacterial hand sanitizer every chance I get: after touching door handles, shopping carts, gas pumps, elevator buttons, public transportation, anything that may have come in contact with someone else's hands or bodily secretions.

Plus if I don't get one vaccine that leaves more for the people who do need the shot when it's already in short supply.

I'm curious to know what others are doing this year. Will you get the flu shot? What about the swine flu shot or H1N1 spray? There seems to be a lot of opinions on both sides.

On a side note, I recently found out that dogs can get MRSA from humans that are infected with it, and other dogs. Just an FYI.

Posted by Lori in Daily , Inquiring minds at 9:18 PM permalink Comments (8)

If anyone can tell me a better way to spend a late summer night than in a bubble bath with a cold Arnold Palmer, a good book, aromatherapy candles burning, a contented snoring pug laying on the floor next to you - then once fully relaxed, climbing out to lather some pomegranate lotion onto your still wet skin, slipping into your ex-boyfriends t-shirt and climbing into bed with wet hair and fresh sheets that were just sprayed with pure grass linen spray....I would love to hear it.

Sweet dreams

Posted by Lori in Health and Beauty , Inquiring minds at 10:07 PM permalink Comments (6)

For those of you who played along with the Disney game, here's the rub:

When asked to quickly think of which Disney character is your favorite, you typically and subconsciously will choose the one whose personality is the most like yours.

I've asked this question in numerous settings to numerous people: adults, children, boyfriends, friends, family, business associates, and in all my experience their answer is always spot on.

Like, "OMG, he is TOTALLY Baloo from the Jungle Book!!"

It's a fun party trick too. Try it at your social gathering, you will see what I mean. Remember it's most effective when the person asked has no idea why you are asking. Otherwise they may try to say they are a princess instead of a hyena.

P.S. I guess this means my personality is the most like a crazy mystical monkey. I'm ok with that.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds , Observations at 1:36 PM permalink Comments (1)

Mine is Rafiki from the Lion King. He lives in a tree and is old and wise. I like him because he's funny and mysterious, very free spirited all knowing medicine man who keeps the pride together. And well let's face it he's pretty cool, kind of boho for a monkey. His name means "friend" in Swahili.

What's yours? Don't think too hard on it, just pick the first Disney character that jumps into your head. Don't forget it has to be a cartoon character.

Tomorrow I'll tell you why.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds , Observations at 10:14 AM permalink

Question: Do you think getting back together with an ex can ever result in a successful outcome?

Do you think the fact that there's a history with that person, a familiarity and comfort is enough to overcome previous obstacles or do you think when you get back together all of the same problems that ended the relationship in the first place will still exist and ultimately end it again?

Just curious what others think.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 12:24 AM permalink Comments (11)

Unfortunately I've had to think a lot about death this past week. It's not a topic I like to spend too much time on, but inevitably when someone close dies it becomes a reality and you think about stuff.
One of the ways I've tried to not let it depress me is by imagining how nice it must be on the other side. For those of you who believe in heaven or some kind of hereafter, what do imagine it's like there?
I imagine a place where long lost loved ones reunite.
Where animals roam free everywhere and pets are restored to their health and vigor. Like I imagine one day I'll see Pugsley galloping full speed ahead directly towards me doing pugtona laps over a rolling green hill, and that makes me happy.
I imagine a place where the sick are made well.
The elderly are restored to their prime.
All earthly wrongs are made right again.
I imagine a place where there are never bad dreams and we are safe and free from all anxiety.
A place where all of the good dreams we've ever dreamt come true.
And all of the answers to life's unknown questions are explained in detail.
Maybe there will be a giant library where you can check out books on any topic and find answers to every question you ever wanted to know.
I imagine total resolution.
Just a feeling of inner peace and contentment all the time.
What do you imagine?

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 11:29 PM permalink Comments (3)

I haven't seen the little guy in a couple days.

I am guessing that means he figured out a way to let himself out :)

Another crisis averted.

Posted by Lori in Daily , Inquiring minds at 4:02 PM permalink Comments (3)

It started the other night when I heard some rustling in the rafters over head. A few hours later, in the middle of the Ten Commandments, I was startled to see a little dark shadow dash across my living room floor. It was during the scene where the plague of frogs was cast on Egypt, which I found ironic.

Since then he's revealed himself 5 times more almost like he wants me to see him. I'll be sitting at my desk and all of the sudden I'll feel him scamper over my toes. I'll be on my couch with the laptop and out the corner of my eye I'll see him scurry over to me.

Today the mouse actually stood on his back legs like he was going to climb up the couch to get to me. Instead he realized he couldn't sink his claws into the leather so he stood there and looked up at me for a minute, and then dashed off when I made a fast move.

Each day he gets a little bolder and closer like he's trying to make friends with me. I've chased him to other rooms but he was too small and quick to catch. He's actually a cute little guy and I don't mind having him around. He looks like he might be a little baby mouse who lost his mother.

Mice don't scare me and I definitely can't kill anything warm blooded. I don't even kill spiders in my house. But I wonder, do they pose any danger health wise like rats that carry disease?

Is there a humane way to trap a mouse so I can let him outside? I don't like the mouse traps they sell at the store, they seem rather barbaric to me.

Also he seems hungry. Would it be bad if I fed him some cheese?

Posted by Lori in Daily , Inquiring minds at 6:39 PM permalink Comments (22)

Pretend you are me for a minute:

Your new financial advisor calls (he's newly assigned to your account because the last three guys before him left the company) and says he would like to send you a check for approximately $850 because there is no way he will come close to making back the original investment. And since you are out of work and not in a risk taking position he would rather send the cash and have you do something "smart" with it.

I appreciate his honesty. [He is also helping me figure out what to do with my IRA, 401k, and pension plan but that is a whole different set of headaches].

I guess the "smart" thing to do with the $850 would be to put it in my savings account....but I already have a decent cushion there that I haven't had to dip into since I've been laid off. Also, it pisses me off that I thought I was doing the smart thing with this stock purchase to begin with....which started out as 100 shares of AOL back in the late 90's.... right before the Time Warner merge. And I don't have to tell you how that worked out, or do I? It was not good. Not good for me or a lot of stockholders at the time.

You have to understand the root of this money and how I've spent the last 10 years watching my investment dwindle down to fucking nothing in various ways, shapes, and forms...and I'm ready to get rid of the shit altogether.
Now I can't help thinking that the "smart" thing would be to just have SOMETHING to show for this mess before it is completely gone.

Remember you're still me. And keep in mind you are an out of work single woman who just had yet another 30-something birthday and is still recovering from a traumatic year. AND this is the first "play" money you've had in a really long time..So now you're toying with the idea of buying some new toys, and you've come up with a list of multiple choice options that you really really want but can't seem to decide exactly what to do with..

A. iPhone 3G - cost $200
B. Classic Tall Ugg boots in Chestnut - cost $180
C. Canon G10 - cost $450
D. Fuck it - all of the above

Check's in the mail.....how would you cut your losses if you were me?

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 12:02 AM permalink Comments (24)

I have just one question for you today.

Is "not telling" the same as lying?

Not referring to the little white lies we tell occasionally to avoid hurting someone's feelings (e.g. you smell really rancid and I wish you wouldn't stand so close to me, no I don't like your new boyfriend I think he's a putz, etc.)

I am talking about lies that if the person being lied to knew the truth, it would actually alter the course of the relationship with the liar and change the way they feel about that person.

I guess you already know my opinion on the topic. What's yours?

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 10:40 PM permalink Comments (9)

--

February 28, 2008

Keeping the Internet Free

Today’s Seattle Times observes the support that Dr. Paul has from tech companies:

"U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, has proved his popularity in the tech world, far outpacing Sen. John McCain in support from donors. Paul received twice as much money from Microsoft employees as McCain did, and five times as much as McCain from Google employees."

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, employees of Google and Microsoft are number three and four in a list of top contributors to the campaign. (First and second on that list are the Army and Navy respectively.)

Congressman Paul has repeatedly said that he doesn’t want to tax or regulate the internet, and internet innovators - who have thrived from the freedom of the internet - support candidates who understand that freedom is key to the success of the e-Economy.

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 10:56 PM permalink Comments (2)

So I can't participate in the primaries because I'm a registered independent, have been since I was 18. I don't necessarily think that is fair that I don't get a say but I digress because I refuse to bind myself to any one party. Some of my views are conservative and some are liberal, it all depends on the issue. I've never really fit into any one bucket.

I prefer to vote for the candidate I believe will do the best job, regardless of which party they belong to. Regardless of what color my state is. Regardless of a candidate's race or gender. I'll have my say in November.

According to a recent poll a new record number 28% of American voters are now registered Independents like me. I think it was like 14% when I joined.

I am curious to know of the readers here, how you are registered. Are you a democrat, republican, independent, or not registered at all?

And if you do get a say in this one and feel like sharing.....who will get your nomination today? And if you further feel like elaborating, why will they get your nod or why will the others not?

Posted by Lori in Inquiring minds at 12:29 AM permalink Comments (9)