Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Time to Move on, Time to Get Goin'

What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing
But under my feet, baby, grass is growing

It's time to move on, it's time to get going
~ Tom Petty


So as the increase of interest on Federal Student Loans is impending, I have been desiring to go back to grad school. Great timing, eh?

College tuition is the highest it’s ever been and steadily climbing. So what do they do to make it easier to cope with the increase in the tuition due to the lack of funding for higher education? Raise the interest! Sure! Instead of student loans being known as the lowest interest rate loans in the country sitting at an average of 3.5% - let’s double it to sit at 7%, 8% for parents taking out loans as well!

I know we’re at war, but GEEZ!!! Why does it always seem when we need money, we take it from education? I know, I know, we take it from everywhere. I won’t bitch too much more. But I’ll leave you with this article to mull it over. Sure most of us already have our loans consolidated, but if you ever feel like going back, think twice about farting around college trying to ‘find’ yourself. Haha! No decade of Christman, eh Kurt? No 3 degrees, 6 minors, and 2 masters, eh Ed? No desire to be a professional student anymore, eh Josh? Kids from now on will have some MEGA debt if they choose that route!

Read Here!

Thing is, I KNOW who I am, I just don’t know what I want to DO!!!!

But aside from the bitch fest above, I think I’ve narrowed down my choices to 4 different masters’ degrees I would like to look into:

1. Peace Coprs International Masters in Horticulture
2. Landscape Architecture
3. Horticulture
4. Creative Writing

1. PCIM in Horticulture:
This is my #1 choice. I would really really really like to do this program, as it is something I’ve always talked about, but never done.
Pros – I will be able to go to another country and help people in the field of study I know really really well. I will get the master and PC experience in one big lump.
Cons – It a 4 year program, with 2 years being in the Peace Corps. That’s a big commitment, and as you all know, I suck at those. I might burn out before I ever get to my third world country! And after I get out, what will this masters do for my career? Would I have been gone too long to pick up from where I left off? Would I even want to? So many questions!
2. Landscape Architecture:
This is the most logical step from where I need to go with my bachelor’s degree. Everyone who goes onto grad school from my program USUALLY chooses this as their masters’. But I was once in a seminar in college that said you should get something DIFFERENT from your bachelor’s as your masters. The speaker (an LA from K-State) said to get something completely different so you can learn something new, and have a more well-rounded background!
Pros – continue with my work and will look GREAT on a resume or if I want to start my own business
Cons – I am still unsure if I should get a different type of degree, to give me a little more exposure to other areas.
3. Horticulture:
This would be great if I ever wanted to go into the Peace Corps after grad school. This is also a major plus if I ever want to go into different parts of the industry, namely plant propagation, nursery work, or arboriculture. I have always wanted to become a certified arborist, and with this degree under my belt, it would be easy!
Pros – Opens up new and different career paths. Will have ‘well-rounded’ background in Horticulture as a whole. It will allow me to have my masters and then choose to go into the Peace Corps later, possibly when I’m older.
Cons – What are my job opportunities once I get out of this program? Is it purely academic and I will have to start back over at the beginning in the different industries I am looking into? If I choose this and THEN go into the PC later, I might have too many ties and obligations, such as a home, car, kids, criminal record.
4. Creative Writing:
This is me going a completely opposite direction in which I have started. This excites me as I have always wanted to study creative writing. I really want to write short stories, and think I have a good background in creative story telling. Why not broaden this hobby with some schooling, and go in a completely different direction? This could be great for me, as I have a completely lucrative bachelor’s degree in which I can still work with!
Pros – I will finally go to school for something fun, and be able to learn something completely different than the sort of ‘trade school’ I attended in my bachelor years. This will allow me to develop one of my passions into something productive. I will be happy and excited in this program as it’s completely opposite from what I’ve been doing the last 10 years.
Cons – I don’t actually see myself getting a better job with this degree. I would have a masters, but how will this actually help me along my career path? Is that all schooling should be – or can it be merely to gain knowledge? Who knows if I will ever get anything published? Would I end up working as an editor somewhere?

Whew. Lots of decisions. I don’t know what to do, other than interview each department of study, until I can find one I’m really passionate about. This might take me months…..even years. Can I wait that long? By that time, student loans will probably be OUT OF CONTROL!!!

Maybe I’ll just skip it, sell all my belongings, and live in Guam.

That sounds good, too.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Why do I love taking Quizzes when I should be working?

Quiz Me
cassie d spins tunes as
DJ Pulsating Lunatic

Get your dj name @ Quiz Me



I tried a couple times with different names.
My full name generated: DJ Uptight Lemon
Loco Mocos generated: DJ Hip Donkey.
How random is that?

1977 - A Year to Remember





In 1977 (the year you were born)


Jimmy Carter becomes president of the US


Most of the 10,000 Vietnam War draft evaders are pardoned by President Carter


Singer Anita Bryant starts her "Save Our Children" crusade against gay rights


Elvis Presley dies in his Graceland bathroom


Congress creates a Department of Energy


Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem in a dramatic gesture of willingness to discuss peace


Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler, and Ludacris are born


New York Yankees win the World Series


Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XI


Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup


Swedish music group ABBA passes The Beatles as having most records sold


Star Wars is the top grossing film


The Shining by Stephen King is published


"You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone spends the most time at the top of the US charts


Three's Company premieres



What Happened the Year You Were Born?


More cool things for your blog at
Blogthings



This was from My brother's blog! What cool stuff happened in the year of your birth?

Friday, May 26, 2006

Only in Missouri

I was listening to NPR this morning, when i heard a small blurb about some news in Missouri.

Apparently, a Frito Lay truck was stolen from behind a market while the driver was inside. It was found 4 hours later, to have 22 bags of chips opened. Police are unsure if anything was stolen, but are on the lookout for a white overweight male caught on video tape stealing the truck.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Ode to Boston Market

I love Boston Market so much, I wrote them a poem:
(don't worry, i'm not becoming a poet.....)

Boston Market is so Yummy
When it’s food is in my tummy

When I am too lazy to come home and cook
Boston Market has everything; Just Look!

From potatoes to corn to macaroni and cheese,
You have everything that makes me weak in the knees!

That delicious aroma when I walk through the door…
Makes me want to slurp up everything that dropped on the floor.

Some have even said that your food is called Soul,
Who would’ve thought I’d love your green bean casserole?

The choices are so many decisions in my head!
At least I don’t have to worry I’ll get free cornbread!

When I go to order, the staff is so nice!
Don’t forget my tea, remember no ice!

When I get to the register, it’s almost if you know me-
For you never forget to question, “Care for a brownie?”

And when it’s all said and done and I pay you my pittance
You always say, “Come back again!” and never “Good Riddance”

Monday, May 22, 2006

Elementary, My Dear Data

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite author’s!!! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would have been 147 today!

So I have yet to have read all of Sherlock Holmes’s adventures, but I remember reading the Hound of the Baskervilles for the first time in 8th grade and LOVED it! Now every time I see Basil Rathbone on TV, the remote drops to the floor as I sit enthralled for hours! And don’t tell me you don’t think DATA didn’t do a good job as the 19th century gumshoe with Geordy at his side as the loveable Dr. Watson!

Here are some fun quizzes!

Check out Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s greatest detective of all time at Wikipedia for a short synopsis!!!

In A Study in Scarlet, Dr. Watson makes an evaluation of Sherlock's skills:

Sherlock Holmes—his limits

1. Knowledge of Literature.—Nil.
2. Knowledge of Philosophy.—Nil.
3. Knowledge of Astronomy.—Nil.
4. Knowledge of Politics.—Feeble.
5. Knowledge of Botany.—Variable. Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. Knows nothing of practical gardening.
6. Knowledge of Geology.—Practical, but limited. Tells at a glance different soils from each other. After walks, has shown me splashes upon his trousers, and told me by their colour and consistence in what part of London he had received them.
7. Knowledge of Chemistry.—Profound.
8. Knowledge of Anatomy.—Accurate, but unsystematic.
9. Knowledge of Sensational Literature.—Immense. He appears to know every detail of every horror perpetrated in the century.
10. Plays the violin well.
11. Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman.
12. Has a good practical knowledge of British law.



Of course, this is less that accurate as you start reading his adventures. Holmes is schooled in many of these areas! But according to him - his brother, Mycroft, is the real genius! Haha!



Have fun and Happy Birthday, Doyle!!!

Friday, May 19, 2006

The NEW Adventures.....


Okay –
So tonight I’m going to go see The DaVinci Code. I’m really excited. I heard on the radio today that the movie is only good if you read the book (which I have). If you haven’t read the book, I guess the movie is pretty hard to follow. Well – sucks to be you non readers! Cause I plowed through this book in 3 days! It blew me away from chapter 1, and I could barely put it down! I even read it in the bathroom, AND abstained from drinking while reading it, so I would have my wits about me! That’s a DEM fine book to make me do that!!!

So, has anyone else read this? Cause I thought EVERYONE loved this book, until I spoke with Josh’s mom. She said she couldn’t get past the first chapter! BLECH!!! My mind is boggled! But apparently, not all people like mystery, suspense, drama, history, and art! Well BOO ON YOU.

I am also excited to see the new and last X-Men movie. It looks AWESOME!!!! Everyone has matured into their characters, Jean Grey is coming back as The Phoenix, and Wolverine is STILL friggin’ hawt!!! Looks like it’s gonna be rockin’!

Superman is also coming out this summer, and I’m excited to see that, too. But my question is: Why have they been remaking all the old films? Can they not find anything better to spend their millions of dollars on? People are submitting screenplays left and right in Hollywood – how can they ALL be so terrible? The Hills Have Eyes? The Fog? The Manchurian Candidate? C’MON Hollywood!! Grow some cajones! What’s next? Are they going to remake Mission Impossible? Or as Kurt would say, Mission Improbable? It stunk the first time! Why make more? Like when Hollywood got even lazier and started making movies out of old hit TV shows! DERF!!! Great idea, think tank! I can’t believe those people get paid millions of dollars!!!

But that is the trend. Everything is cooler when it’s new and ‘improved’. New toys from old ones (uh…care bears? Again? How is THAT improved?) 80s fashion? I thought everyone still made FUN of the 80s! But oddly enough, I was watching some old movie with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor last night, and some chick from 1980 looked like the same girl I saw walking down the street in Boulder the other day!

We need some new innovators. Maybe it’s just our generation that is in charge of all the trend setting in the US basically telling everyone that we’re too lazy to think of anything new. That’s a good thought. Maybe they’re all playing Xbox in their offices instead of working. That would be SWEET.

MMmmmm......Donuts.....

Devils Food Donut

A total sweetheart on the outside, you love to fool people with your innocent image.
On the inside you're a little darker, richer, and more complex.
You're a hedonist who demands more than one pleasure at a time.
Decadent and daring, you test the limits of human indulgence.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

And Now for Something Completely Different....


So –
What are your opinions on the 5 areas of change for the immigration reform?
Read Speech Here

1. Secure Our Borders

Some people have said that we can’t afford to send 6000 National Guardsmen down to help out the Border Patrol for a year, while new Border Patrol agents are being trained. Many People think that we are abusing the use of the National Guard and should be looking at the War in Iraq instead. Other people think that more Border Patrol agents won’t do any good – as the immigrants will still come over no matter what. So what is the solution?
I personally agree that our borders should be ‘under control’ as a way to correct this problem. I have heard far too many horror from immigrants and citizens about the border – and they need some serious attention. Are these viable solutions? I’d love to hear suggestions.

2. Create a Temporary Workers Program


With proper documentation, immigrants can come over to work in our country, pay taxes, and return to their homes after a certain number of years. I think this is a great idea. Supposedly this is how things USED to be a generation before now. The immigrants would come, work, and go home. Now the trend is to stay. I’ve heard this from multiple sources as to why these worker programs will not work. Many young people do not want to go back to Mexico – as they have started families here, or they would like to bring their families here for a chance of a better life. In my opinion, this lies partly to blame on Mexico itself (as we are mainly talking about our Southern border, though not ignoring ALL immigrant peoples). I think Mexico needs to step up and try to improve its economy, though I don’t pretend to know how.

3. We Need to Hold Employers Responsible

I agree with this whole heartedly. Although I know from experience that because it’s so easy to falsify documents and so hard to verify authentication, many employers will hire illegal immigrants, only to find out when the paper work comes back (after a month) that they are illegal. And then what happens when an employer finds out? They CAN’T fire that individual! No Guff!!!! They have to fire them just like a regular employee by writing them up, etc! So Frustrating! So I agree that the employers who DON’T care about this (which I have worked for some….) get harsh repercussions, as well as the federal government making it easier to verify immigration status. As far as a tamper proof card? I don’t know if that would work, seeing as how tons of immigrants already have illegal driver’s licenses….

4. Amnesty?

No way. I do agree that to just deport everyone is completely ridiculous – which is a lot of people’s opinions of what should happen. Some guy from the Minutemen down in New Mexico had some brilliant idea to give immigrants 6 months to liquidate all their assets, and turn themselves in for deportation. If they didn’t willingly turn themselves in, they would get deported and lose whatever assets he had to pay for the deportation process.
Get real people. Do you KNOW how many illegal immigrants there are? And what about the people from overseas? How much would THAT program cost? I say paying a heavy fine and starting at the back of the line for legalization is a great idea. Because really, what else can we do? The Border Patrol caught and returned 6 million people to their countries last year. Think of how many got through and are currently here if we are seriously deficient in patrolling our borders?
Wake up, duh.

5. Respect That America is a Melting Pot


I understand that a lot of people are prejudice of immigrants, but I hope it’s only because they aren’t here legally – not because of race. I think to most people, this last point was a no brainer. But I forget that there are MANY people out there that are blind to this easy point, even if they are Croatian, German, Spanish, Russian, African, etc. I think this was a good move on the speech writer’s part.





And lastly – What the hell kind of story did Bush talk about at the end? Guadalupe Denogean? If he were illegal, how did he get into the Marines? They didn’t let The Samurai into the Marines because he had a felony from making a bomb out of household parts. How did this guy get in? Am I missing something here?

This lies heavy on my heart, as most of you remember Abraham. He was a good person (even though he wanted me to quit my job and have his babies. No thanks, dood). But he was a very good man who came here illegally from Guatemala through the desert almost dying with some 15 year old girl he found along the 3 day trip across the border over his shoulder. She was laying abandoned dying of dehydration. His brother was caught and returned to Mexico 3 times after attempting the cross, and he was robbed by Coyotes 2ce. Each trip cost about $5000. THAT’S how desperate some people are. Where did he get the money? Abraham. He had been here for 5 years and saved his money like crazy, WHILE paying taxes under the false documents my old company provided for him. Think what you want about that. My old company was crap, but they paid their illegal employees REALLY well.

So what do you think about these solutions?

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Tattoo You?

Okay -
So i need some opinions here:

I want to get these 2 tattoos (sometime in the near future). But i'm not sure
A. Which one to get first
and
2. How they should be done.

They are both Bjork pics, but unless you are an avid fanatic, you probably wouldn't know it. The first one is actually on my blog, but i was thinking about getting it done in black and white like a comic book cell from Sin City or something. Possibly Anime? I'm not quite sure what would be better. I like the dramatic comic look in Frank Miller Graphic Novels, and the whimsical yet leathal look in Mangas.

So here is tattoo #1:





Now, tattoo #2 is more complicated.
I really like the crazy photo (sorry bt, it's a little clown like) but am concerned about the color. I think the colors look great and bright and crazy - but i wonder if i should get this tattoo in different shades of gray/black. I've been throwing around that idea - an am not sure if i want to go ALL gray colors for my tattoos. If i DID get this one in gray - would it take away from the actual picture? is it meant to be bright and somewhat scary?




I was thinking of putting this one up on my shoulder, so if i ever decided to add on and make a sleeve, Voila! But then, i still would like to get a half sleeve of some japanese tattoo....
So maybe I should just wait to do that.....

I need help!!!

Monday, May 15, 2006

What up, Big Perm?

So i just got back from lunch. What happened while there? I got cut off by some driver in a Ford Thunderbird circa 1991. I know, I know. When driving around suburbia, this is more than likely to occur.

But here's the rub: It was by some gal wearing curlers!!! At NOON!!!!

She looked fairly young, wearing a tank top (which means she may or may not have been dressed) and she somehow needed to high-tail it to Safeway! She wasn't on her way OUT of Safeway, like she had ice cream melting, or some baby was jumping around in the back of her car, but going TO the grocery store!!! Was there some sort of after mother's day sale I did not know about that necessitated that sort of driving and lack of attire?

Well, I will never know.
But i DO have a problem with people who wear curlers out in public without even so much as a scarf!!! Were do people learn this? Isn't that just like those Sorostitutes at college who would go to class in their pajamas? Heck - even old women wear those plastic bonnets or crepe scarves over their hair if the need to go to the thrift store!!

So what is this about? Is this plain laziness? is this accepted in some circles, like the sorostitutes who actually put on make-up to go to class, but not clothes and people actually thought they were cute? Is this cool? Is this like that one time Regina George wore a shirt with holes cut around her boobs, so I wore a shirt with holes cut around the boobs?

Please explain!

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Dear John....

Dilemma

So, I’m not sure what to do in this situation, and I need all the advice you can give me!

I have a co-worker, who must be closely related to Laura’s Officemate. I’ve probably told you about the blowout we had over one of my designs last week (I won’t go into it, but my boss had to talk to her about her unprofessional attitude). My dilemma is closely related to her, as her partner is also my hair stylist.

For a few months now, I have been unhappy with her performance on my hair. When I get my hair done, I get a cut and color, and most likely new hair products (shampoo, conditioner, gel, etc.). Well, the last few times I’ve gone to her (and I’ve been going to her for 2 years now) – she hasn’t given me the cut or color I’ve wanted. Also – the last few times, she’s been over an hour late with my appointment! Don’t get me wrong, I like helping out a friend with a new business – but I pay over $100 per visit with tip just to wait an hour, and not come away happy with my hair?

So I’ve been building up the courage to tell her I was going to someone else. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone else. PLUS, I took Josh to see her a few times, and when she found out he had been going to Great Clips – she gave him all kinds of shite about it! I tried to explain to her that he doesn’t care about a $30 hair cut, and he likes going down the street to pay $12 instead of driving 30 min away to the ‘burbs just to get the same thing done! I can tell she was disappointed, but at least I was still her client, right?

Wrong. After the great blow up my co-worker (her partner) and I had, I decided to check out Kurt’s friend’s brand new salon. It was a similar situation for his friend Andee, as my old stylist. She just opened a shop, but because she had been out of the salon business for a while, all her clients had found other people! She needed new business bad! So after telling her continuously that I would make an appointment, I did so – out of anger and relief! And so what happens? I get the best hair cut and color since 1997!!! She did exactly what I wanted, and didn’t try to talk me out of my ideas! I gave her a few tips (i.e. I need my color to be dark, but not too dark, I need to be able to pull my hair back into a pony tail, hide my cowlick!) and she was able to cut in her own style and own ideas, without infringing on MY ideas! PLUS she gave me a hip cut which doesn’t look too indie, but also doesn’t look like I’m an old woman! And the cherry on top of my sundae? Her salon is only 5 min away from my house!

So here be my dilemma: I have to let my other stylist down easy. Why is this difficult?

  • I work with her partner who is a very tough woman to work with, as well as a grudge – holder. We are already having our own problems, let alone the hair issue! I assume she has already told my stylist that I have a new hairdo…..so I have to be diplomatic.

  • I really like my stylist on a friend level! I’ve been to her house, she goes to my gym, and we were even planning some hikes this summer!

  • I can’t just NOT stop going to her and not say anything about it. Sooner or later I will see her again, whether it be here in my office as she’s visiting her partner, at the gym, or at work functions.

    Plus – she’s been a good stylist to me – giving me free shampoo and hair cuts when she was at her corporate run salon!
    So I was thinking of just sending her a card at her salon. Saying something to the effect of, “I love you (as a friend), but I’m not IN love with you (as my stylist)”. I REALLY want to say, “because you are never on time- which makes me late, you never do my hair right, your shop is in BFE, I need a younger, hipper style, basically just don’t want to spend $100+ on a crappy hairdo.” But I can’t say that.
    So how SHOULD I let her down easy? It’s like a Dear John letter – only Dear Monique!

Heck YESSSSSSSS!!!!

I've been so busy at work, and our internet is like MOLASSES!!! I can't even browse around and read other blogs when i'm bored! I actually have to WORK! Boo!!!! So i'm composing a new post in which i will need some advice - but for now, enjoy this wonderfully patriotic shirt Josh sent to me!


Monday, May 08, 2006

Huzzah!!!


Police: Woman Pulls Sword In Spat Over Parking Spot

UPDATED: 1:32 pm MDT May 8, 2006
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An argument over a parking place outside a Florida Wal-Mart store erupted in a sword attack and landed a 46-year-old woman in jail, according to police.
Sharlott Till is accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly threatening women in another car with a 27-inch sword hidden inside her walking cane.
Police said Till and her husband were waiting to pull into a parking space at a Wal-Mart Sunday afternoon, when another car drove around them. According to the arrest report, Till approached a woman and her daughter in the other car and they exchanged profane words.
Witnesses told police that Till produced the sword and began swinging it around. She later told police she is trained in the use of a sword and was only attempting to scare the other driver.

Till's husband told police he didn't see the sword even though he was standing just feet away from the confrontation.
No one was hurt in the incident.


This lady reminds me of that post Black Petunia did....
Now we know who votes for that guy!!!
So I think the use of swords is really on a come-back. I mean, It's a lot more personal than just pulling a gun - and you really need some skill to use one - as per the above line, "She later told police she is trained in the use of a sword and was only attempting to scare the other driver".

I think she's onto something here! And just think that all those Asian stores selling bamboo and swords in the mall have been right ALL ALONG! Let's wallop those Medieval Dickweeds!!!

p.s. Whoever is buying theBat'Leth , I'm on your side!!!

Friday, May 05, 2006

Who's Dad is the Best Dad in the Whole World?

Need I answer myself? My dad just paid off all my credit card debt so I could finally buy a new car.
Holy Shite.
CAN YOU FUCKING BELIEVE IT?????????

I mean, Look Here:

All i gave him was a bag of socks for Christmas! And I'm pretty sure i didn't buy them, seeing as how i was still 1 year away from my first job!!! (mom - i'll pay you back for that now that i've hit it big)

And now he has made me debt free (not including my lifetime friend, Federal Student Loan)!!!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!

To see more pictures of my handsome father and lil' cas click here!!!!! I'm so happy, I did the happy dance all over my work! Everyone thinks i'm crazy anyway - so why not SHOW IT!!!!

I won't let you down dad! i won't take that check you sent me and go to Aruba! I PROMISE!!!!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!

Custom Hot Rods Anyone?

I have been meaning to post this for years - and i always thought i'd post it with some crafty shirt i had been planning on making of it - but alas! i am lazy!
Hemingway -
Josh's dad makes custom hot rods. This is the car he is currently showing around the country. It's a 1934 DeSoto Airflow (is that right?). i guess some guy down in Texas wants to put it in his museum for a few months! Crazy, huh? Now his dad is making one of those old Model T hot rods with the motor exposed. i think it will be pretty cool. maybe he'll feel really generous and say, "Here Cassie! You can have this because I think you deserve it!"


I won't hold my breath......

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Halloween in May

So i was throwing around some Halloween ideas with Ed, Paul, and Josh over the weekend. Here's what i came up with.

Now remember, these are very preliminary....
I will probably change them 3-4 times before next Halloween:

Dolly Parton or maybe the Muppet, Polly Darton (if i painted my face lavender and had a green clown nose)














Magnum PI or maybe a Gonk Droid (really the best of all droilds)























Or maybe Mary Tyler Moore or Jerri Blank (this one's a tuffy....)

























Any Ideas on your costumes yet?

Monday, May 01, 2006

Reunion?

Look who had a reunion last year, and I friggin' MISSED it!!!!!


check out some random photos of one lucky goonie.....