HNT - What a Tangled Web We Weave

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This week's HNT is a bit different for me. As some of you know, I spent my birthday weekend with my girl friend Tali. Now, when I say "friend," understand that I don't use that term lightly. Tali is someone I first met on-line, and later met in person. Over the past 18 months or so our friendship has grown into something very special. She knows my secrets - in fact, she knows more of my secrets than any other single person. I trust her. I admire her. I adore her.

She's the one I called when I was let go from my "dream" job in November. She's the one I called when husband and I had the argument that escalated to the point that I had to call the police. She's the one who IM's me when she sees storms coming through my area to make sure Cam and I are safe. She's the one who asks me what kind of cake I want for my birthday. And she's the one who gave me this gift - an HNT with her - the way I wanted her.

Thank you Tali, for all of the things you've done for both Cam and me. Thank you for being gentle when I needed it, and for whacking me up along side the head when you knew that would be more effective. Thank you for listening when we both knew that I was talking crazy, and for introducing me to Polito's Garlic Special pizza. You've been not only a great friend, but a safe harbor for us - a place where it was perfectly alright for us to be ... well ... us! And most of all, thank you for letting me share this little glimpse of our friendship on HNT!

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“Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some
weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture
beautiful and unique.”
~ Unknown

Road Trip - Short Version

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Cam and I are on our way out the door for our preparatory road trip for the summer - a short drive to South Bend Indiana. We'll be spending a long weekend with Talisman and her family. We try to make this trip at least once every two months or so and it's always a great time. The bonus this trip is that I get to spend my birthday weekend with someone who asked me what kind of cake I wanted AND, when I mentioned fish tacos, told me she'd make sure I got them before I left! It doesn't get much better than that!

Cam has been given temporary custody of his bike for this trip - a privilege surprisingly granted by husband. The details of the custody agreement include that he wear his helmet at ALL times or the bike will be confiscated for the summer.

I upgraded our hotel reservation from our standard economy hotel to one that is a bit nicer. It's my birthday weekend, I deserve it!

One more thing, thanks for all of the birthday wishes yesterday! My cyber birthday was the best birthday I think I've ever had! A special thanks to Matt-Man, Knight and Os (and anyone else I might have missed) who gave me a special shout out on their own blogs. Don't know why, but it still surprises me when I find a link to my silly little cyber world in the post of a fellow blogger. All y'all are the best!

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When Bloggers Meet

I've been fortunate to have met a few of the bloggers I read ... well, actually two of the bloggers I read ... and one of them wasn't really blogging much when I first met her ... so, I guess I've been fortunate to have met exactly TWO bloggers, one of which wasn't blogging much when I first met her (nor was I).

Talisman (Tali) and I first met ... gosh, what's it been? A little over a year ago? Cam and I actually head out that direction about every other month. Tali and I have developed quite a real life friendship. There's even been talk about her making a cameo appearance in an upcoming HNT shot!

Leighann I met just over six months ago. Not sure why I haven't been back (what kind of blogger friend am I?) but it was fun to see that the blogger girl was very much like the real life mom and wife. Yes Doc, even the boobies *wink*

So, this past Wednesday I had an opportunity to meet Apple (As American As Apple Pie) and Apple Hubby (yes, that would be Apple's husband who has a blogger profile, but no blog - not sure what is wrong with him *giggle*). They were on their way home to North Carolina, from Wisconsin, after leaving their evil spawn lovely children with Apple Hubby's family for a summer excursion.

We met at one of my most anxiety provoking favorite places, the mall, for dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. You know, we had to do the whole public place meeting thing - anyone known as Apple and Apple's Hubby could be ... well ... I don't know, fruit pie makers? Dinner went well, and it is always fun to actually meet someone you've had only cyber contact with. Unfortunately, I had a senior moment forgot to bring my camera and can't even share a mouth full of food photo with y'all.

I've got plans to meet two other bloggers this summer - one of those is a firm plan (*giggle* I said "firm") - the other one is still in the works. And yes, I'll bring my camera next time! You just never know when an HNT moment might present itself - nothing like getting half-nekkid with strangers!

Friday Wrap-Up

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Whew! What a week! Can I say that it is absolutely great to get back to work so that I could recover from vacation? It was nice to be on the 4-day work week this week because I had Monday to myself - well, not entirely to myself but that's a whole different post!

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Speaking of my 4-day work week, I had a revelation this morning. One of the reasons I appreciate the new work schedule so much is that the 3 people in my department that I have the most difficult time working with - including Mr. "How are you on this lovely spring day?" - are off on Fridays. This means that I only have to spend 3 days with the 3 most difficult co-workers.

There also seems to be some "unrest" amongst the troops, well, really one of the" leaders", regarding the compressed work week. She mentioned in our department meeting yesterday that if the primary reason for this trial was to save gas, and we are still out driving on the day we don't come to work, we should go back to a 5-day work week. What?? Does she not realize that we would STILL be doing the driving we do on our non-office day, along with the trip into work, if we went back to a 5-day work week? Sometimes you just have to shake your head at the stupidity. And for the record, this "leader" is the only employee who has been working a 4-day week (32 hour week, but paid for 40) for the past 5 years! I guess she just isn't feeling special enough now ...

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I was a bad blogger/friend and completely blew off forgot to post the pity first loser award I won over at Tali's "What the hell is it?" SEM game. She reminded me Wednesday of what a thoughtless forgetful friend I was. Although I tried to blame it on age, she wouldn't bite (although she promises to bite the next time I see her *wink*), so here it is! It's also on the side bar never to be forgotten again!!

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After this week's TMI questions, I've decided it's time to buy some lingerie. Not only will it make me feel special and frivilous, but it should make for a great HNT prop. I'm thinking either of these (not the women, the teddies - Oh hell, I'll take the women too!) would be a great start to my collection - what do you think??

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HNT - The Girl Who Wears Glasses

“Words, like glasses, obscure everything
which they do not make clear.”
~ Joseph Joubert

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Remember my buddy Talisman (i.e. ChemGeek, Tali, Serious Pain-in-my-Ass) Well, she had a bit of a technical glitch that required she move her blog with just three hours notice. If you've been looking for her, you can find her [HERE]

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Shameless Blog Plug

Anyone who has been reading my blog this week knows that a dear friend of mine, Tali (a.k.a. Talisman, ChemGeek serious pain in my ass) was instrumental in my acquisition of Rhonda for a steal fair market price. As a proclamation of my undying love appreciation of her efforts, I've been forced to decided to plug her blog. For some silly reason she likes to have readers. Well, actually, she likes to have commenters - seems she has readers.

Tali used to blog quite a bit, but got sidetracked with PsyPets, Homeschooling and her continued work on her PhD in Chemistry. She's a raging bit of a geek, but that doesn't make her eclectic blog any less interesting.

You might read about the day's home school lesson, see what table salt looks like highly magnified






or even hear her opinion on a television documentary. On special occasions, you might even get a glimpse of chemistry humor with Carcin.


She has given me her word that she will continue with regular blog updates if I put my tarnished shining reputation on the line and plug her blog, so here it goes.

Please stop in and read Misadventures Of a Modern Day Alchemist . Tali will get really giddy (Tali? Giddy?? Well maybe more like STOKED!) if you leave a comment (she's a self-proclaimed comment whore) and you might just find yourself laughing and learning at the same time!