Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about GREENTUNA
Thirteen Open Letters I Need to Sit Down And Write


1.
To: The Guy Who Sat Behind Me Last Saturday Night at The Detroit Symphony Concert:
Subject: Get Your Nasty Shoes off the Top of the Seat in Front of You Which Happens to be Two Inches from My Head
Because if I really wanted to smell your nasty rubber soles, I would have lain on the sidewalk outside of Orchestra Hall and had you walk on my face.

2.
To: Cellphone Girl in the Stairwell
Subject: You Were Close
Although you get props for taking your call outside, however, unless you're The Lincoln Memorial, you, your laptop, your frappaccino, your bagel with cream cheese and your cell phone conversation about last night's kegger aren't important enough to hog an entire flight of stairs, making it impossible for me to go home.

3.
To: Michigan
Subject: Enough, Already
Wind. Rain. Snow. Please stop with the horrible, horizontal weather. I mean, really. It blows. Too hard.

4.
To: The Lady Working at McDonald's
Subject: We Weren't Drunk. We Were Just Really, Really Tired
I know you get all kinds. Especially on a Saturday night. But when GramTuna and I burst into a fit of hysterical laughter when you said there would be a wait on the chicken nuggets, it wasn't because we were drunk. We were just really tired and hungry and hoped our chickens would transmigrate a little faster.

5.
To: TinyTuna
Subject: Roll-Call
I really do like the name Fred, don't you?

6.
To: My Minister
Subject: The Folly of Episcopal Optimism
You'd think with all the church aerobics we do every week (Stand-Sit-Kneel Lather-Rinse-Repeat) we'd be good at ecclesiastical movement. Problem is, we cannot do anything on the fly, especially if it involves leaving OUR OWN PEW and going anyplace other than the Communion rail, Coffee Hour or Brunch. I was worried we wouldn't break our Palm Sunday processional bottleneck before happy hour.

7.
To: Charla (Amazing Race) and Michelle (Survivor)
Subject: Thanks

Because people falling down on reality shows are funny.

Really funny.


Really, Really Funny.

8.
To: The Cats
Subject: WWFF
I don't suppose it would do me any good to kindly ask that you save the Kitty Big Time Wrestling Smackdown for hours OTHER than midnight to 6am.


9.
To: The Family Sitting Next to Me In The Detroit Airport
Subject: Things I Didn't Need to Know
I didn't need to know how fast you make matzah balls (11 in 9 minutes). I didn't need to know the details of your dinner party. I didn't need to know your wife REALLY wanted to bring macaroons, because she must have mentioned it 25 times while you were making plans ON YOUR CELL PHONE SO EVERYONE COULD HEAR. I didn't need to know your kid must have drunk a case of Red Bull because all he did was bounce on the seat, which made all the seats in the row bounce because they were connected. But then again, maybe you didn't know this because you were so busy TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE SO EVERYONE COULD HEAR.

10.
To: YouTube
Subject: Throw Another Log on the HellFire
Thanks YouTube. After laughing over these, I have no doubt that I'll be the toastiest Tuna in the afterlife.


Hey, Jesus!!


Now it's time for me to tell you all what you've done wrong since I last saw you.


What in the Name of Me is Going On Here?


11.
To: Herman Munster
Subject: I love you
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you


12.
To: Chocolate Peeps
Subject: Chocolate Peeps
You know, I could go with Peep Pumpkins, and Peep Valentine Hearts, Bunny Peeps and Chick Peeps in Pink, Yellow and (new) Green. But now there are chocolate peeps, and I'm sorry, but if Chocolate Peeps haven't jumped the shark, they've surely at least crossed the line..

13.
To: Jesus
Subject: My Bad
Sorry I was such an idiot last week and spent over an hour looking for a Palm Sunday song under the wrong title. I suppose though, if you had been in Calgary (what I was looking for) instead of Calvary (what I should have been looking for), things might have turned out a little differently, eh?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about GREENTUNA
Thirteen Open Letters I Need to Sit Down And Write


1.
To: The Guy Who Sat Behind Me Last Saturday Night at The Detroit Symphony Concert:
Subject: Get Your Nasty Shoes off the Top of the Seat in Front of You Which Happens to be Two Inches from My Head
Because if I really wanted to smell your nasty rubber soles, I would have lain on the sidewalk outside of Orchestra Hall and had you walk on my face.

2.
To: Cellphone Girl in the Stairwell
Subject: You Were Close
Although you get props for taking your call outside, however, unless you're The Lincoln Memorial, you, your laptop, your frappaccino, your bagel with cream cheese and your cell phone conversation about last night's kegger aren't important enough to hog an entire flight of stairs, making it impossible for me to go home.

3.
To: Michigan
Subject: Enough, Already
Wind. Rain. Snow. Please stop with the horrible, horizontal weather. I mean, really. It blows. Too hard.

4.
To: The Lady Working at McDonald's
Subject: We Weren't Drunk. We Were Just Really, Really Tired
I know you get all kinds. Especially on a Saturday night. But when GramTuna and I burst into a fit of hysterical laughter when you said there would be a wait on the chicken nuggets, it wasn't because we were drunk. We were just really tired and hungry and hoped our chickens would transmigrate a little faster.

5.
To: TinyTuna
Subject: Roll-Call
I really do like the name Fred, don't you?

6.
To: My Minister
Subject: The Folly of Episcopal Optimism
You'd think with all the church aerobics we do every week (Stand-Sit-Kneel Lather-Rinse-Repeat) we'd be good at ecclesiastical movement. Problem is, we cannot do anything on the fly, especially if it involves leaving OUR OWN PEW and going anyplace other than the Communion rail, Coffee Hour or Brunch. I was worried we wouldn't break our Palm Sunday processional bottleneck before happy hour.

7.
To: Charla (Amazing Race) and Michelle (Survivor)
Subject: Thanks

Because people falling down on reality shows are funny.

Really funny.


Really, Really Funny.

8.
To: The Cats
Subject: WWFF
I don't suppose it would do me any good to kindly ask that you save the Kitty Big Time Wrestling Smackdown for hours OTHER than midnight to 6am.


9.
To: The Family Sitting Next to Me In The Detroit Airport
Subject: Things I Didn't Need to Know
I didn't need to know how fast you make matzah balls (11 in 9 minutes). I didn't need to know the details of your dinner party. I didn't need to know your wife REALLY wanted to bring macaroons, because she must have mentioned it 25 times while you were making plans ON YOUR CELL PHONE SO EVERYONE COULD HEAR. I didn't need to know your kid must have drunk a case of Red Bull because all he did was bounce on the seat, which made all the seats in the row bounce because they were connected. But then again, maybe you didn't know this because you were so busy TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE SO EVERYONE COULD HEAR.

10.
To: YouTube
Subject: Throw Another Log on the HellFire
Thanks YouTube. After laughing over these, I have no doubt that I'll be the toastiest Tuna in the afterlife.


Hey, Jesus!!


Now it's time for me to tell you all what you've done wrong since I last saw you.


What in the Name of Me is Going On Here?


11.
To: Herman Munster
Subject: I love you
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you


12.
To: Chocolate Peeps
Subject: Chocolate Peeps
You know, I could go with Peep Pumpkins, and Peep Valentine Hearts, Bunny Peeps and Chick Peeps in Pink, Yellow and (new) Green. But now there are chocolate peeps, and I'm sorry, but if Chocolate Peeps haven't jumped the shark, they've surely at least crossed the line..

13.
To: Jesus
Subject: My Bad
Sorry I was such an idiot last week and spent over an hour looking for a Palm Sunday song under the wrong title. I suppose though, if you had been in Calgary (what I was looking for) instead of Calvary (what I should have been looking for), things might have turned out a little differently, eh?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Disney Smackdown

I want to kiss Herman Munster.

TinyTuna has recently discovered The Munsters on some cable rerun channel, and loves it. Even better (and more miraculous) is that she is -- on her own accord -- opting out of whatever nonsense is playing on the Disney Channel so she can party down with Herman, Lily, Eddy, Marilyn and Grandpa.

This is HUGE.

I've never been particularly good at holding back my opinion of the junk they show on The Disney Channel. The kids are loud and smart-alecky. I'm sure some marketing person somewhere thinks this kind of dialogue is nothing more than smart, saucy jabs of precocious and highly intelligent teenagers. But it's not. What it is is just plain rude, and if I ever dared speak to any adult that way, well, let me just say, I'd never be talking that way, because if I did, that would be the last time. To make matters worse, on all these shows every zinger is accompanied by an obnoxious canned guffaw track and enough facial mugging to make a ham weep in envy. Honestly, if you need all that stuff, you know it was never that funny to begin with. It's the equivalent of having someone stand behind you with a Louisville Slugger and beating you senseless. DID YOU GET IT? DID YOU GET IT? DID YOU GET IT?

Yeah. I got it.

So I do my best to limit how much Disney dreck wafts though my living room, and I pray for sweet relief. Who would have ever guessed it would have come in the form of Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, a Werewolf, and poor, poor (ugly) Marilyn.

"I just LOVE The Munsters," TinyTuna gushed. "They're just so HYSTERICAL!"

"It was a fun show. I liked it a lot when I was your age," I said, And then I quietly put down my Louisville Slugger and said a prayer of thanks, because she got it. All by herself.

Disney Smackdown

I want to kiss Herman Munster.

TinyTuna has recently discovered The Munsters on some cable rerun channel, and loves it. Even better (and more miraculous) is that she is -- on her own accord -- opting out of whatever nonsense is playing on the Disney Channel so she can party down with Herman, Lily, Eddy, Marilyn and Grandpa.

This is HUGE.

I've never been particularly good at holding back my opinion of the junk they show on The Disney Channel. The kids are loud and smart-alecky. I'm sure some marketing person somewhere thinks this kind of dialogue is nothing more than smart, saucy jabs of precocious and highly intelligent teenagers. But it's not. What it is is just plain rude, and if I ever dared speak to any adult that way, well, let me just say, I'd never be talking that way, because if I did, that would be the last time. To make matters worse, on all these shows every zinger is accompanied by an obnoxious canned guffaw track and enough facial mugging to make a ham weep in envy. Honestly, if you need all that stuff, you know it was never that funny to begin with. It's the equivalent of having someone stand behind you with a Louisville Slugger and beating you senseless. DID YOU GET IT? DID YOU GET IT? DID YOU GET IT?

Yeah. I got it.

So I do my best to limit how much Disney dreck wafts though my living room, and I pray for sweet relief. Who would have ever guessed it would have come in the form of Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, a Werewolf, and poor, poor (ugly) Marilyn.

"I just LOVE The Munsters," TinyTuna gushed. "They're just so HYSTERICAL!"

"It was a fun show. I liked it a lot when I was your age," I said, And then I quietly put down my Louisville Slugger and said a prayer of thanks, because she got it. All by herself.

Tuna Tribulations (Take 2)

Post the second by a slightly panicking TinyTuna. Personally, I don't know why she's so upset. I think "Fred" is rather nice.... :)
~~GT.


As many of my fellow readers have read, I wrote (and I don't deny) writing a crappy persuasive argument. But now, I'm trying again. Time is winding down until Sunday (Easter) and also my thirteenth birthday. The poll finding a new name for me has been up for some time, and I am here to discuss that poll.

Your Choices ::

1. TinyTuna (Second place)

2. Fred (Please DON'T!)

3. TeenyTuna (Never again!)

4. TeenTuna (I BEG OF YOU! PICK ME!!!!)

As you can see (Notice the bold) I would like to be called TeenTuna and I absolutely WON'T be called Fred. If you look at this from all angles, it is a fair chance that I will be called Fred. To see the results go to the Tuna News website and find out. It's up to you readers! What should I be called?

Tuna Tribulations (Take 2)

Post the second by a slightly panicking TinyTuna. Personally, I don't know why she's so upset. I think "Fred" is rather nice.... :)
~~GT.


As many of my fellow readers have read, I wrote (and I don't deny) writing a crappy persuasive argument. But now, I'm trying again. Time is winding down until Sunday (Easter) and also my thirteenth birthday. The poll finding a new name for me has been up for some time, and I am here to discuss that poll.

Your Choices ::

1. TinyTuna (Second place)

2. Fred (Please DON'T!)

3. TeenyTuna (Never again!)

4. TeenTuna (I BEG OF YOU! PICK ME!!!!)

As you can see (Notice the bold) I would like to be called TeenTuna and I absolutely WON'T be called Fred. If you look at this from all angles, it is a fair chance that I will be called Fred. To see the results go to the Tuna News website and find out. It's up to you readers! What should I be called?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Trembling :: Afraid

2. Shut up :: And Sing

3. Heights :: Don't really like them.

4. Monica :: I'm thinking the same person EVERYBODY thinks, and honestly, what I really think is that this woman doesn't need ANY more publicity. Ever.

5. Delicious :: Yummy

6. Joint :: The scariest ones are the yummiest.

7. Ferry :: Off to Ocracoke

8. Bliss :: Standing at the front of the ferry riding to Ocracoke, hoping to see frolicking dolphins and avoid pooping seagulls.

9. Rejection :: No more room on the ferry. Hurry up and wait.

10. Satisfying :: "No more room on the ferry for you, Mr. Big Fat Obnoxious Hummer at the front of the line, but there IS room enough for you, Oh Cute, Adorable Compact Car. Please pass all other vehicles and come on board!"

This list is brought to you by things I have to do (1-3) vs. things I'd like to do (5-10). The very good news (if one must think optimistically) is that I don't have to do number 4.

~~ That's what HE said ~~

Ba-DUMP-bump.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... And You Think:

1. Trembling :: Afraid

2. Shut up :: And Sing

3. Heights :: Don't really like them.

4. Monica :: I'm thinking the same person EVERYBODY thinks, and honestly, what I really think is that this woman doesn't need ANY more publicity. Ever.

5. Delicious :: Yummy

6. Joint :: The scariest ones are the yummiest.

7. Ferry :: Off to Ocracoke

8. Bliss :: Standing at the front of the ferry riding to Ocracoke, hoping to see frolicking dolphins and avoid pooping seagulls.

9. Rejection :: No more room on the ferry. Hurry up and wait.

10. Satisfying :: "No more room on the ferry for you, Mr. Big Fat Obnoxious Hummer at the front of the line, but there IS room enough for you, Oh Cute, Adorable Compact Car. Please pass all other vehicles and come on board!"

This list is brought to you by things I have to do (1-3) vs. things I'd like to do (5-10). The very good news (if one must think optimistically) is that I don't have to do number 4.

~~ That's what HE said ~~

Ba-DUMP-bump.

Friday's Feast Tag-Team

TinyTuna has so many posts saved to draft (mom's rule) that I need to catch up and clean out a bit, so this Friday Feast is a two-fer. I didn't look at her answers before I wrote mine, so it will be interesting to see how they match up.


Appetizer: What are you proud of?
Greentuna: Good Lord. Making it through another day? Not falling asleep, bashing my head into the keyboard and lapsing into a coma today at work? No. It must be finding (and wearing) clean and matching socks. Huzzah!
TinyTuna: Singing "On the Transmigration of Souls" with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
(Greentuna: She should be proud. They are doing amazing work. It makes my matching socks and no-coma Friday look pretty sad in comparison)



Soup: What is the best thing you've ever won as a prize?
Greentuna: Much better story: What is the WORST thing you've ever won as a prize. I have far more worst prize stories than best prize stories (which should give you a clue as to the nature of my very existence).
Worst Prize Number One: Once, I believe in middle school, there was some sort of school carnival type event. In the gym there was a large circle of chairs set up for a Cake Walk. This is where you walk around the chairs while music plays and when it stops you sit in the chair. Then somebody draws a number, and if you're sitting in that chair, you win a cake. Me? I won. Too bad I don't like cake.
Worst Prize Number Two: I did it again and won another one.
Worst Prize Number Three: Back in the olden days, as a bride to be, I ran around a local mall during the weekend bridal show and entered my name to win anything and everything I could. Lo and behold, I won! Although it wasn't a cake, it was equally lame and unnecessary. I won a rather expensive china bridal figurine (read: something I had to stare at and then dust). I held onto said figurine until a couple months after the wedding and then attempted a return. I scored the return and got ... dishes! So, it ended up not being such a horrible prize after all.
TinyTuna: A medal at Solo and Ensemble
(Greentuna: And she didn't even win a cake!)



Salad: Name Something You Do that is a Waste of Time
Greentuna: Oh, the irony of typing this question while at work....
TinyTuna: Watching Spongebob Squarepants
(Greentuna: Yep. That wins)



Main Course: In what year of your life did you change the most?
Greentuna: Last Saturday I ate a piece of cake and actually uttered, "hey, this is good." So maybe the answer is this year. Or not. It's only cake, after all.
TinyTuna: (Almost) When I'm thirteen!
(Greentuna: Let the record show that as of this writing, she is NOT having cake for her birthday. Well, she is have cake, but with "cheese" in front of it and with three different kinds of chocolate in it, under it, and on top of it)



Dessert: Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Greentuna: Sunset, at the Atlantic ocean's edge. I'm ready now.
TinyTuna: Cape Hatteras
(Greentuna: Ahhhh. That's my kid)

Friday's Feast Tag-Team

TinyTuna has so many posts saved to draft (mom's rule) that I need to catch up and clean out a bit, so this Friday Feast is a two-fer. I didn't look at her answers before I wrote mine, so it will be interesting to see how they match up.


Appetizer: What are you proud of?
Greentuna: Good Lord. Making it through another day? Not falling asleep, bashing my head into the keyboard and lapsing into a coma today at work? No. It must be finding (and wearing) clean and matching socks. Huzzah!
TinyTuna: Singing "On the Transmigration of Souls" with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
(Greentuna: She should be proud. They are doing amazing work. It makes my matching socks and no-coma Friday look pretty sad in comparison)



Soup: What is the best thing you've ever won as a prize?
Greentuna: Much better story: What is the WORST thing you've ever won as a prize. I have far more worst prize stories than best prize stories (which should give you a clue as to the nature of my very existence).
Worst Prize Number One: Once, I believe in middle school, there was some sort of school carnival type event. In the gym there was a large circle of chairs set up for a Cake Walk. This is where you walk around the chairs while music plays and when it stops you sit in the chair. Then somebody draws a number, and if you're sitting in that chair, you win a cake. Me? I won. Too bad I don't like cake.
Worst Prize Number Two: I did it again and won another one.
Worst Prize Number Three: Back in the olden days, as a bride to be, I ran around a local mall during the weekend bridal show and entered my name to win anything and everything I could. Lo and behold, I won! Although it wasn't a cake, it was equally lame and unnecessary. I won a rather expensive china bridal figurine (read: something I had to stare at and then dust). I held onto said figurine until a couple months after the wedding and then attempted a return. I scored the return and got ... dishes! So, it ended up not being such a horrible prize after all.
TinyTuna: A medal at Solo and Ensemble
(Greentuna: And she didn't even win a cake!)



Salad: Name Something You Do that is a Waste of Time
Greentuna: Oh, the irony of typing this question while at work....
TinyTuna: Watching Spongebob Squarepants
(Greentuna: Yep. That wins)



Main Course: In what year of your life did you change the most?
Greentuna: Last Saturday I ate a piece of cake and actually uttered, "hey, this is good." So maybe the answer is this year. Or not. It's only cake, after all.
TinyTuna: (Almost) When I'm thirteen!
(Greentuna: Let the record show that as of this writing, she is NOT having cake for her birthday. Well, she is have cake, but with "cheese" in front of it and with three different kinds of chocolate in it, under it, and on top of it)



Dessert: Where is a place you consider to be very tranquil?
Greentuna: Sunset, at the Atlantic ocean's edge. I'm ready now.
TinyTuna: Cape Hatteras
(Greentuna: Ahhhh. That's my kid)

Tuna Tribulations

Evidently this is TinyTuna's version of a persuasive argument. Reading this, you'd think we had a lovely chat with pinkies raised whilst we sipped our tea and nibbled dainty finger sandwiches. Speaking as one who has lived it with for well over 13 years (she was like this BEFORE she came out, just in case you wondered), she is more obnoxious persuasive than this even when she's asleep. (-GT)



TINY TUNA :: Mom, can I ask you something?

GREEN TUNA :: Sure.

TINY TUNA :: You know on your blog how I'm known as Tiny tuna, well since I'm going to be thirteen on Easter Sunday, can you change it to Teen tuna?

GREEN TUNA :: **crickets** Well, maybe.

TINY TUNA :: (Slump)

GREEN TUNA :: But, if you want, we could set up a poll. You could write a persuasive entry to try to convince the readers to have me change it.

TINY TUNA :: Sounds great!

This is where you come in. On Easter I turn thirteen and will become a teenager. I think that my name could be changed, because it would fit me better. It's up to you readers. Should Greentuna change my name or not?

Tuna Tribulations

Evidently this is TinyTuna's version of a persuasive argument. Reading this, you'd think we had a lovely chat with pinkies raised whilst we sipped our tea and nibbled dainty finger sandwiches. Speaking as one who has lived it with for well over 13 years (she was like this BEFORE she came out, just in case you wondered), she is more obnoxious persuasive than this even when she's asleep. (-GT)



TINY TUNA :: Mom, can I ask you something?

GREEN TUNA :: Sure.

TINY TUNA :: You know on your blog how I'm known as Tiny tuna, well since I'm going to be thirteen on Easter Sunday, can you change it to Teen tuna?

GREEN TUNA :: **crickets** Well, maybe.

TINY TUNA :: (Slump)

GREEN TUNA :: But, if you want, we could set up a poll. You could write a persuasive entry to try to convince the readers to have me change it.

TINY TUNA :: Sounds great!

This is where you come in. On Easter I turn thirteen and will become a teenager. I think that my name could be changed, because it would fit me better. It's up to you readers. Should Greentuna change my name or not?

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about GREENTUNA
Thirteen Totally Necessary Guilty Pleasures


1. Savage Chickens
Savage Chickens is one of several comics I race to read every morning. It's funny. It's chickens.
2. Girl Scout Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies
I know these have a real name. But I can never remember the real name and truthfully don't really care what the real name is. Just make step away from the red box, and nobody gets hurt.
3. Caller ID
How fabulous is Caller ID? It does the dirty work for you, allowing you to either pick up immediately or start mocking the telemarketer on the other end while the phone rings and rings and rings. It's perfect for the passive-aggressive in all of us. Unknown number? Sorry, Charlie.
4. InnerTube
The Internets have gotten smart and have started to put entire TV episodes online. InnerTube is the brainchild of CBS, but the other major networks have joined in as well. Missed an episode of Survivor? Check it out. Watch the entire season of Heroes on NBC? Go for it. Fa-boo.
5. Epicurious.Com
Ahh, Epicurious. The website which saves me from slogging to my basement to thumb through cookbooks for a recipe that matches my daily version of refrigerator Bingo.
6. iTunes
I work in a music library. I already own more CDs than Moses, but I love to meander through iTunes to stumble across new music. It doesn't matter if it is pop, jazz, blues, classical or something else. iTunes is my sweet, musical crack.
7. My Remote
I remember the old days of the aerial antennae. I remember only having three channels and making that tough decision -- stay with the crap on CBS or turn the antenna, wait 3 minutes for it to travel (ka-CHUNK, ka-CHUNK, ka-CHUNK) 195 degrees just to see if something better might be on somewhere else. Now I have the blessed remote. Funny thing is, if I can't find my remote, my next step is to hunt for the remote because I am physically incapable of changing the channels without it.
8. Weekly Puzzle Pack
Every Wednesday is puzzle day. On Wednesday afternoon I amass a week's worth of online crossword and Sudoku puzzles for the GramTuna, Mo'Tuna and me. We spend the next week working through them at our leisure. Stuck somewhere? Bored? PuzzleTime!
9. Thursday Night Post-Choir Practice Bar Fellowship. Praise Jesus!
Which I totally missed last night because I was on carpool duty for TinyTuna and her cohort as they returned from their concert in Detroit. But when time allows, there is nothing more spiritual than a weekly reenactment of where three or four are gathered.... (there is usually a fifth).
10. Bathroom Potpourri
I do not mean the smelly variety. I mean the reading variety. I hate being stuck somewhere with nothing to do (see puzzlepack above), and that includes the bathroom, where yes, I'm technically doing something, but I am able to multitask. However, you can't read the same magazine for a month, so having a variety is the key.
11. Bubble Wrap
If it's within arms reach, I will pop it. One stinking bubble at a time.
12. Trillian
Trillian is the too-way-cool IM program that runs ICQ, AOL, Yahoo and MSN simultaneously. Now, if it could somehow get the Gmail chat program included, I'd be all set. Even without, Trillian is a lifesaver.
13. Tuna News
My little corner of the world. It's kind of nice here.



Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about GREENTUNA
Thirteen Totally Necessary Guilty Pleasures


1. Savage Chickens
Savage Chickens is one of several comics I race to read every morning. It's funny. It's chickens.
2. Girl Scout Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies
I know these have a real name. But I can never remember the real name and truthfully don't really care what the real name is. Just make step away from the red box, and nobody gets hurt.
3. Caller ID
How fabulous is Caller ID? It does the dirty work for you, allowing you to either pick up immediately or start mocking the telemarketer on the other end while the phone rings and rings and rings. It's perfect for the passive-aggressive in all of us. Unknown number? Sorry, Charlie.
4. InnerTube
The Internets have gotten smart and have started to put entire TV episodes online. InnerTube is the brainchild of CBS, but the other major networks have joined in as well. Missed an episode of Survivor? Check it out. Watch the entire season of Heroes on NBC? Go for it. Fa-boo.
5. Epicurious.Com
Ahh, Epicurious. The website which saves me from slogging to my basement to thumb through cookbooks for a recipe that matches my daily version of refrigerator Bingo.
6. iTunes
I work in a music library. I already own more CDs than Moses, but I love to meander through iTunes to stumble across new music. It doesn't matter if it is pop, jazz, blues, classical or something else. iTunes is my sweet, musical crack.
7. My Remote
I remember the old days of the aerial antennae. I remember only having three channels and making that tough decision -- stay with the crap on CBS or turn the antenna, wait 3 minutes for it to travel (ka-CHUNK, ka-CHUNK, ka-CHUNK) 195 degrees just to see if something better might be on somewhere else. Now I have the blessed remote. Funny thing is, if I can't find my remote, my next step is to hunt for the remote because I am physically incapable of changing the channels without it.
8. Weekly Puzzle Pack
Every Wednesday is puzzle day. On Wednesday afternoon I amass a week's worth of online crossword and Sudoku puzzles for the GramTuna, Mo'Tuna and me. We spend the next week working through them at our leisure. Stuck somewhere? Bored? PuzzleTime!
9. Thursday Night Post-Choir Practice Bar Fellowship. Praise Jesus!
Which I totally missed last night because I was on carpool duty for TinyTuna and her cohort as they returned from their concert in Detroit. But when time allows, there is nothing more spiritual than a weekly reenactment of where three or four are gathered.... (there is usually a fifth).
10. Bathroom Potpourri
I do not mean the smelly variety. I mean the reading variety. I hate being stuck somewhere with nothing to do (see puzzlepack above), and that includes the bathroom, where yes, I'm technically doing something, but I am able to multitask. However, you can't read the same magazine for a month, so having a variety is the key.
11. Bubble Wrap
If it's within arms reach, I will pop it. One stinking bubble at a time.
12. Trillian
Trillian is the too-way-cool IM program that runs ICQ, AOL, Yahoo and MSN simultaneously. Now, if it could somehow get the Gmail chat program included, I'd be all set. Even without, Trillian is a lifesaver.
13. Tuna News
My little corner of the world. It's kind of nice here.



Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Great Freds in History

Fred is winning. Go Fred!
Other great Freds:

1. Fred MacMurray
Sure, he was the Absent-Minded Professor, but that pales in comparison to his role My Three Sons. And if you ever watched this back in the old olden days, the mere mention of the title brings forth humming, foot tapping and that hands thing. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you missed a classic.

2. Fred the Library in Fred the Building
Located on the TunaU Campus, Fred is the illegal that which should not be spoken name for the newish Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, and the library therein. Why Fred? Only four letters and one syllable, baby.

3. Fred the Plant in My Backyard
Fred the plant in the backyard is this THING that came from Yooperland. It grows approximately seven feet tall and has yellow pom-pom flowers on it. Fred is quite vigorous, and frankly, out of control. Just like a lot of other things in the backyard (see: Ginger the centennial rambling rose bush that lives next to Fred and tends to ramble far beyond her borders, and the yet to be named pussy willow, that at last glance was about 12 feet tall)

4. Fred Rogers
Complete with sweater and comfy shoes. Last week when I was teaching, I stopped mid-berating (sing, damn you, SING!) and listened to the quaint twinkle-dee-twinkle music invading my space. Out in the hallway a student was practicing on some sort of marimba type device. I looked at my student (who was grateful for the break) and said in a sickly-sweet voice, "You know, it's like teaching in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and the trolley is here ready to take us to the Land of Make-Believe."

So, I'm thinking Fred isn't so bad.

Fred
The Fredster
FredTuna
FreddyTuna
BigFT

It could work.

Great Freds in History

Fred is winning. Go Fred!
Other great Freds:

1. Fred MacMurray
Sure, he was the Absent-Minded Professor, but that pales in comparison to his role My Three Sons. And if you ever watched this back in the old olden days, the mere mention of the title brings forth humming, foot tapping and that hands thing. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you missed a classic.

2. Fred the Library in Fred the Building
Located on the TunaU Campus, Fred is the illegal that which should not be spoken name for the newish Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building, and the library therein. Why Fred? Only four letters and one syllable, baby.

3. Fred the Plant in My Backyard
Fred the plant in the backyard is this THING that came from Yooperland. It grows approximately seven feet tall and has yellow pom-pom flowers on it. Fred is quite vigorous, and frankly, out of control. Just like a lot of other things in the backyard (see: Ginger the centennial rambling rose bush that lives next to Fred and tends to ramble far beyond her borders, and the yet to be named pussy willow, that at last glance was about 12 feet tall)

4. Fred Rogers
Complete with sweater and comfy shoes. Last week when I was teaching, I stopped mid-berating (sing, damn you, SING!) and listened to the quaint twinkle-dee-twinkle music invading my space. Out in the hallway a student was practicing on some sort of marimba type device. I looked at my student (who was grateful for the break) and said in a sickly-sweet voice, "You know, it's like teaching in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, and the trolley is here ready to take us to the Land of Make-Believe."

So, I'm thinking Fred isn't so bad.

Fred
The Fredster
FredTuna
FreddyTuna
BigFT

It could work.

Name That Tuna

To the left you may notice a wee tiny poll on my wee tiny blog, posted on behalf of TinyTuna, my wee tiny pain in the butt. As I mentioned last week, La Tuna has been bucking for a name in my corner of the Internets. She feels she is deserving of such change because in less than two weeks, she will be of age that ends in teen.

She wants to be TeenTuna.

I, of course, am not thrilled with this course of events. Which course? All of them. Her birthday. Her birth-TEENTH-day. Her shunning my Tiny moniker as if I'd been calling her HitlerTuna all these years. And maybe worst of all, the fact that she is WAY too smart for her own good, and decided to enlist the one advocate that just might be my achilles heel.

She went to Scout. And told him her sob story.
And he agreed with her.
Bleah.

Luckily for me, I am both a black-hearted soprano and a mother which pretty much makes me VOLCANO in most discussions. However, make it look like I'm appeasing both TinyTuna and the TraitorScout, I told them I would put up a poll on my blog and we could give all y'all a say in the matter. I also told TinyTuna that she would need to write a persuasive argument and I would post it here. However, her calendar looks like death for the next week, so while she is busy rehearsing and Transmigrating with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, please imagine lots begging and pleading, accompanied by wild arm motions with the words "SO TOTALLY" thrown in dramatically for extra redundant dramatical goodness.

The poll only offers a few choices

• TinyTuna - it was good enough before...
• TeenyTuna - My offer of compromise which was SO TOTALLY turned down.
• TeenTuna - Her choice.
• Fred - No explanation necessary.

but if you have other ideas, leave it in the comments, and who knows, maybe y'all might convince me that a change is so totally in order.

As if.

Name That Tuna

To the left you may notice a wee tiny poll on my wee tiny blog, posted on behalf of TinyTuna, my wee tiny pain in the butt. As I mentioned last week, La Tuna has been bucking for a name in my corner of the Internets. She feels she is deserving of such change because in less than two weeks, she will be of age that ends in teen.

She wants to be TeenTuna.

I, of course, am not thrilled with this course of events. Which course? All of them. Her birthday. Her birth-TEENTH-day. Her shunning my Tiny moniker as if I'd been calling her HitlerTuna all these years. And maybe worst of all, the fact that she is WAY too smart for her own good, and decided to enlist the one advocate that just might be my achilles heel.

She went to Scout. And told him her sob story.
And he agreed with her.
Bleah.

Luckily for me, I am both a black-hearted soprano and a mother which pretty much makes me VOLCANO in most discussions. However, make it look like I'm appeasing both TinyTuna and the TraitorScout, I told them I would put up a poll on my blog and we could give all y'all a say in the matter. I also told TinyTuna that she would need to write a persuasive argument and I would post it here. However, her calendar looks like death for the next week, so while she is busy rehearsing and Transmigrating with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, please imagine lots begging and pleading, accompanied by wild arm motions with the words "SO TOTALLY" thrown in dramatically for extra redundant dramatical goodness.

The poll only offers a few choices

• TinyTuna - it was good enough before...
• TeenyTuna - My offer of compromise which was SO TOTALLY turned down.
• TeenTuna - Her choice.
• Fred - No explanation necessary.

but if you have other ideas, leave it in the comments, and who knows, maybe y'all might convince me that a change is so totally in order.

As if.

Movie Madness

I realize the Oscars are long gone and after a month, I'm still sucking wind with only 12 correct answers. But since the little naked guys got passed out, I have seen a few more movies, including several shorts that iTunes so graciously made available AFTER IT WAS TOO LATE.



Danish Poet
Nominated (Won) : Best Animated Short. Here is a prime example of if I would have seen it, I would have picked it. This is quite simply an utterly charming story. After showing it to TinyTuna (I LOVE IT!!!!) I didn't see my iPod for the next week. It's a story of love and how all the seemingly random events and coincidences of life interweave and form a new thread. Funny, charming, sweet. Awesome cameo by a cow. Yes, it's really that good. Worth all 199 pennies.


Binta and the Great Idea
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. Kids were cute. Seemed sweet, but honestly, I'm just not sure I got it. Or maybe I got everything there was to get. Sadly, meh.


Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. A rather hysterical story of an abandoned father and his grown son that I do not want to give away. It certainly wasn't profound in subject matter, but seemed well-done on it's own level. Up against a live-action short dealing with AIDS in China, I'm not surprised this film didn't win.


Saviour
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. A movie about Mormons. I have nothing against Mormons, but this seemed rather pointless and there was an egregious lack of daffodils. Pass.


Helmer & Son
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. Again, a hysterical story of a father living in a care facility and his children. Again, I'm not surprised this didn't win, but I will admit to a loud guffaw at the end. Fun film.


Superman Returns
Nominated (Lost) : Achievement in Visual Effects. Laying my biases on the table ahead of time, I never saw any of the other Superman movies, although I may have parts of a Christopher Reeve version flipping through TV channels. So, not having seen anything leading up to this epic THING, the first thing I learned was that I never knew Superman LEFT. But he did. He left so he could return and they could make a movie. The next thing I learned about Superman is that he's really Jesus. No, really. He's Jesus with lycra, a cape and no sandals. Because if you recall, Jesus left. And then returned. And he was sent by his father. Superman, that is. And Jesus. Confused? Just read the Bible and put on a John Williams soundtrack, and you'll get the picture.


Amazing Grace
Nominated for Nothing. We've exited Oscarville and returned to the land of somewhat recent releases. Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce and his drive to abolish the Slave Trade in England during the 18th century. A bit dry, a bit slow-moving at first, it picked up pace a bit into the film and ended up being a very compelling drama. TinyTuna loved it, and how great was it that this movie dealt with historical events and the story of someone fighting for a better world? No cape required. Besides, a Scottish Pipe Band is like Volcano when it's up against a John Williams soundtrack. Definitely worth a look-see.

Movie Madness

I realize the Oscars are long gone and after a month, I'm still sucking wind with only 12 correct answers. But since the little naked guys got passed out, I have seen a few more movies, including several shorts that iTunes so graciously made available AFTER IT WAS TOO LATE.



Danish Poet
Nominated (Won) : Best Animated Short. Here is a prime example of if I would have seen it, I would have picked it. This is quite simply an utterly charming story. After showing it to TinyTuna (I LOVE IT!!!!) I didn't see my iPod for the next week. It's a story of love and how all the seemingly random events and coincidences of life interweave and form a new thread. Funny, charming, sweet. Awesome cameo by a cow. Yes, it's really that good. Worth all 199 pennies.


Binta and the Great Idea
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. Kids were cute. Seemed sweet, but honestly, I'm just not sure I got it. Or maybe I got everything there was to get. Sadly, meh.


Eramos Pocos (One Too Many)
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. A rather hysterical story of an abandoned father and his grown son that I do not want to give away. It certainly wasn't profound in subject matter, but seemed well-done on it's own level. Up against a live-action short dealing with AIDS in China, I'm not surprised this film didn't win.


Saviour
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. A movie about Mormons. I have nothing against Mormons, but this seemed rather pointless and there was an egregious lack of daffodils. Pass.


Helmer & Son
Nominated (Lost) : Best Live-Action Short. Again, a hysterical story of a father living in a care facility and his children. Again, I'm not surprised this didn't win, but I will admit to a loud guffaw at the end. Fun film.


Superman Returns
Nominated (Lost) : Achievement in Visual Effects. Laying my biases on the table ahead of time, I never saw any of the other Superman movies, although I may have parts of a Christopher Reeve version flipping through TV channels. So, not having seen anything leading up to this epic THING, the first thing I learned was that I never knew Superman LEFT. But he did. He left so he could return and they could make a movie. The next thing I learned about Superman is that he's really Jesus. No, really. He's Jesus with lycra, a cape and no sandals. Because if you recall, Jesus left. And then returned. And he was sent by his father. Superman, that is. And Jesus. Confused? Just read the Bible and put on a John Williams soundtrack, and you'll get the picture.


Amazing Grace
Nominated for Nothing. We've exited Oscarville and returned to the land of somewhat recent releases. Amazing Grace tells the story of William Wilberforce and his drive to abolish the Slave Trade in England during the 18th century. A bit dry, a bit slow-moving at first, it picked up pace a bit into the film and ended up being a very compelling drama. TinyTuna loved it, and how great was it that this movie dealt with historical events and the story of someone fighting for a better world? No cape required. Besides, a Scottish Pipe Band is like Volcano when it's up against a John Williams soundtrack. Definitely worth a look-see.