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Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Massages.

Something i am struggling with: How to be supportive of someone who wants you to agree with them when you don’t.

Something tasty: Indian food.  It seems i can’t get enough of it these days.

Something i learned: A lot about geodesic scaling.  The product i test at work has added a mapping component.

Something from the bridge table: I may write up some interesting hands from this week.  But for now, here’s a bridge poem.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: I’m competing in a 5k this week.

Something i am reading: If i don’t finish Dracula this week, i give up.  This has been kind of a hard book to read.  And i even like vampires!

Something happening around the house: Watched re-runs of My So-Called life.  It brought back a flood of memories of high school.

Something i am thinking: How suspicious of abuse do you have to be before you feel obligated to say something?  Should you say anything at all?

Something i am looking forward to: Hopefully, spending a little time with a friend i haven’t seen in a year.

Something i am hoping: To get outside a few times this week while the weather is so nice.

Something random: I’ve been told you can pour a can of Coke on your car battery if you suspect there is corrosion on the connections.  I haven’t tried it.  But it makes me think twice about drinking Coke.

Something captured: Fourth place in the Sunday Swiss teams at the sectional tournament in Wilson, NC.  Woo.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Getting a good deal.  We drove out to the Carolina Premium Factory Outlets in Smithfield.  Wow did we get a lot of clothes for not that much money.  Plus we had some gift cards leftover from birthdays and Christmas.

Something i am struggling with: I feel a little over-committed to Toastmasters given the level of enjoyment i get out of it, so i told the president of the club that i would not be serving in an officer role next year (TM years start in July).  That earned me an earful from him.  I do enjoy it, but about an hour a week is all i can commit to it, and this year it’s been more than that.

Something tasty: Top Secret Restaurant Recipes’ version of TGI Friday’s Black Bean Soup.  It is some of the yummiest stuff on earth.  AND it has a lot of vegetables in it, and i “volumize” the recipe by adding even more veggies… and it’s STILL the most wonderful thing on earth!

Something i learned: How to work the new DVD player Lance bought me.  Thanks, sweetheart!

Something from the bridge table: I can’t think of any good stories at the moment.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: I did my and Lance’s taxes this weekend.  It’s been on the to-do list for awhile.  I actually like doing taxes, call me a freak if you want.

Something i am reading: Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  Still.

Something happening around the house: Uncharacteristically, i bought a bunch of DVDs this weekend.  They are all movies that we’ve seen before, but they’re all movies i love and would gladly watch a bunch of times (which is my main criteria for purchasing movies).  We’ve been watching DVDs this weekend.

Something i am thinking: About giving up alcohol altogether.  I don’t drink much as it is, but lately i seem to have problems having only 2 or 3 when i do drink.

Something i am looking forward to: Helping $Bill celebrate his birthday.

Something i am hoping: That it doesn’t snow anymore.  I’m done with snow, and ready for running weather.  Though i heard it might snow again this week…

Something random: I love walking through the furniture aisles at Target (or wherever).  I get a similar feeling in an office supply store.

Something captured: Nugent presiding over his backyard kingdom.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Running with the sun shining in sixty degree weather.

Something i am struggling with: Our DVD player choked on a brand new DVD today.  I mean, brand-spanking-out-of-the-box-new.  It’s had a long life - time for a new one.

Something tasty: Watermelon.

Something i learned: Marketing people don’t think software testers are particularly important.

Something from the bridge table: There’s a new bridge club in town - the Triangle Bridge Center in Durham.  I played there twice this weekend.  The owners are doing a great job with it.  I wish we could have done something like that in Raleigh, but we didn’t have enough support from the community when we tried it last year.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: Organizing a speech contest for Toastmasters.

Something i am reading: Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Something happening around the house: Re-watched Little Miss Sunshine.  Even though i knew what was coming, i still laughed so hard i cried.

Something i am thinking: I love weekends.  Especially after really hard weeks.  And especially when the sun is shining.

Something i am looking forward to: Friday night the money bridge game is resuming.

Something i am hoping: I’m pretty close to being convinced to run another half-marathon in May.  The timing is about right and i’m psyched about running after yesterday’s wonderful run.

Something random: I treated myself to a mani/pedi Saturday afternoon, right after my run.  It was divine getting my feet massaged right after.

Something captured: The surprise that was waiting for me when i got home from work on Friday.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Godiva chocolates.

Something i am struggling with: I have to give a speech this week for Toastmasters, and i don’t know what to talk about.  Coming up with topics is always difficult for me.

Something tasty: Taco Stuffed Pepper Cups

Something i learned: The new Harris Teeter at North Hills opened.  It is two stories, and pretty nice as grocery stores go.  I heard someone call it a Taj-ma-teeter.  (-:

Something from the bridge table: A cool unblocking hand that Lance encountered.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: I had a much better week with the Leanest Loser goals - got in all 6 workouts and drank all my water.

Something i am reading: I just checked out Bram Stoker’s Dracula, though i haven’t quite started it yet.

Something happening around the house: Watching the originals of The Thomas Crowne Affair and Ocean’s 11.  I like the remakes much better, especially the endings.

Something i am thinking: It might be time to use the nail spa gift certificate i have.

Something i am looking forward to: Girl Scout cookies.

Something i am hoping: That Kerry and Cullen have an uneventful week after a scary few days in the hospital last week.

Something random: I ran 4 miles today, with Nugent.  Afterward, he wasn’t even tired!  (I was, though.)

Something captured: I think he looks a little bit like the snowman that was on our Christmas cards.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Winning.

Something i am struggling with: Bad dreams.  Last night i died a bunch of times.  The worst was dreaming about what it would feel like to get shot in the head.  I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad in reality as it was in my dream.  Thanks, Stephen King.

Something tasty: Homemade tacos.

Something i learned: Four diamonds doubled always makes.  I keep having to re-learn this lesson.

Something from the bridge table: A hand from this weekend’s sectional tournament here in Raleigh.

Something i am doing towards my goals: My first week of the Leanest Loser program was not exactly optimal.  I did not get in as many workouts as i should have.  I have more confidence about being able to meet all the goals this week.

Something i am reading: Just finished Under the Dome.  I guess Dracula is next, since it’s this month’s book club selection.

Something happening around the house: We did not watch the Superbowl, though i was pleased to hear the underdog Saints won.

Something i am thinking: That i will try Cindy’s spinach-mushroom pizza tonight.  It looks fabulous, and easy to make.

Something i am looking forward to: Going to see Love, Bits & Bites this weekend.

Something i am hoping: To get more sleep this week.

Something random: Someone told me that Puxatawney Phil only has a 37% prediction rate.  Come on, Phil!  Random guess should get it right about 50%!!

Something captured: A ballroom full of bridge tables, before all the people come in.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Being productive and getting things done.

Something i am struggling with: Bidding slams at bridge.  I’m not sure when i got so conservative.

Something tasty: Homemade peanut butter cups.

Something i learned: Regular salt from your cabinet works pretty well at dissolving ice on the front steps.

Something from the bridge table: Raleigh is hosting its bridge tournament this weekend.  I’m looking forward to playing, and also am glad the partnership job is almost over.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: The “Leanest Loser” program through my work officially starts.  I can easily handle the water-drinking and fruit/veggie-eating portions of the program.

Something i am reading: Stephen King’s Under the Dome.  It’s due this weekend at the library.  I’m not going to make it.

Something happening around the house: Lots and lots of cooking this weekend.  For us while we’re snowed in, for friends who just had a baby, and for the bridge tournament this weekend.

Something i am thinking: I’m glad we got a nice snow, but now i’m ready for spring.

Something i am looking forward to: Meeting and holding a tiny new baby.

Something i am hoping: To get through this extremely busy week smoothly and with as little stress as possible.

Something random: I walked to the grocery store to get a few needed items.  The store is about a half mile away.  Walking in snow is harder than normal walking.

Something captured: Out in the snow, one of the rare time Raleigh actually gets a good winter storm.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: When you wake up the morning after a really good sleep and you have that feeling that you were really dead to the world and you just feel completely rested.

Something i am struggling with: Friday night, I mixed too much wine with too much liquor and the result was what you might expect.

Something tasty: Found a cute Indian place near our house, sort of.  We were the only ones in there at 1 pm on a Sunday, which doesn’t say much for their popularity, but the food was awesome.

Something i learned: How to play Tripoli.

Something from the bridge table: Didn’t play a single card’s worth of bridge this week.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: I ran a couple of times this week.  Short distances, but it was nice outside.

Something i am reading: Under the Dome, by Stephen King, still.  It may be awhile.

Something happening around the house: Watching Sex and the City reruns.

Something i am thinking: I am a pretty lucky gal.

Something i am looking forward to: Another few days of warmish weather before it gets cold again.

Something i am hoping: To find a piece of motivation this week.

Something random: I had to take Kerry to the hospital Friday b/c she started having contractions while we were at lunch!  I didn’t think that happened to real people!  I was happy to do it, and she ended the day with a lovely baby boy.  I’m so happy for her!

Something captured: I didn’t capture this particular photo, but it’s one of my favorite things to see on a winter night, and i had a beautiful sighting of it one crisp, cool night this week.

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that makes me happy: Tolerable temperatures.  Sun shining.

Something i am struggling with: The powers that be at work have turned off the ability for me to instant message people outside of work.  I think it is company-wide.  I understand if people are abusing it, but i’ll still miss it.

Something tasty: The bar steak at Bloomsbury Bistro.  Their menu is so highfalutin that it’s hard for me to tell what i’m getting, so i usually order the bar steak, medium rare, and am always immensely pleased.

Something i learned this week: I learned how much my old relationship jewelry is worth.  Answer: more than i expected.  Selling it feels too much like “blood money”, so instead i’m donating it and taking the tax deduction.  Everyone wins.

Something from the bridge table: We’re in the process of redesigning our bidding system, mainly to better accommodate slam bidding.  We’re using a lot of ideas from the Gran Slam subscription that Mom got for me last year.  Watch out, bridge world.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: Nothing really, but i found a new place to visit to add to the list - Victoria Falls.  And specifically, swimming in Devil’s Pool right at the edge of the falls.

Something i am reading: Under the Dome, by Stephen King.  This is the biggest book i have ever seen; over one thousand (yes, thousand) pages.

Something happening around the house: Video games, cooking, laundry, poker… this is what we do.

Something i am thinking: There are still race issues in our country, but we have come such a long way since the 1962 that is described in Kathryn Stockett’s The Help.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Uneventfulness?

Something i am hoping: That the weather stays like this and doesn’t go back to 20 degrees.

Something random: Somethings for a snack, i make toast and put butter, cinnamon and sugar on it.

Something captured: Nugent was so excited to go on his walk today that he didn’t even mind that i took pictures of him; usually he hides from the camera.  Here he is mid-lick:

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me happy this week: Hanging out with friends i don’t normally get to spend a lot of time with.

Something i struggled with this week: Relationships can be hard.

Something tasty i ate this week: Imitation IHOP pancakes - i was given a recipe book that had recipes mimicking restaurant recipes.  They aren’t the same, but they’re darn close.

Something i learned this week: It’s a good idea to bring a gift to a baby shower even if you’re told not to.

Something from the bridge table: We’ve been talking some about falsecards.  Here’s a description of one that caught my attention this week.  Declarer holds AK8x opposite QT7x.  If you hold J9xx “onside” then you should drop the 9 to try to convince declarer to play the suit differently than the normal way.

Some things i am doing towards my goals:

Something i am reading: The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I thought i still had weeks to go, but it was surprisingly waiting for me at the library Saturday morning.

Something happening around the house: We got up early today and have done nothing but drink coffee and play video games.  Is that wrong?

Something i am thinking: Went to a baby shower yesterday and got a glimpse of both how wonderful and how chaotic life will be with kids.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Going to see The Young Victoria with friends (not with Lance - he can’t stand movies like that).

Something i am hoping: To figure out a sense of purpose for this year.  I don’t feel like i’m working on anything in particular.  I guess i need some new projects.

Something random: It’s been two weeks since my last blog post.  Yes, i’ve been lazy.  A few people have asked about it, though, so at least i know people are reading!

Something captured: Lots of stars in Mario 64 (played through the Wii Virtual Console).

Others writing the Sunday Somethings: Kerry

Something that made me happy this week: Our family played Mafia last night.  It was a total riot.

Something i struggled with this week: My 102 year old great-grandmother is on a campaign.  Four times she pulled me or Lance aside and told us something along the lines of how she would be happier if we would get married, us living together goes against her principles, etc.  She didn’t give Lance a Christmas card because we’re not married, and would not just put “Audrey and Lance” on my envelope, and made sure we knew why.  It wouldn’t really bother me if i could talk to her at all, but she’s pretty deaf, so i can’t even have a conversation about it.

Something tasty i ate this week: What isn’t tasty about Christmas dinner and Christmas goodies?  Everything has been wonderful this week.

Something i learned this week: Over one-third of the world’s population lives in China and India combined.  China alone has more than one-sixth of the population.

Something from the bridge table: Lance’s parents were kind enough to give me a subscription to a bridge website for Christmas this year.  It’s a new one, and Lance told me i should try it out since they have a free trial period, and see if it was up my alley.  I took one of the weekly quizzes, and only got 1 of the 5 answers correct.  Conclusion - i have some things to learn from this site.

Some things i am doing towards my goals: We’re going to make our own beer this week (Lance got a kit for Christmas).  It takes a few weeks to brew, but it will be a fun experiment.

Something i am reading: Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robinson.

Something happening around the house: Lance got my dad signed up with an online poker account.

Something i am thinking: Nathan gave me an article by Marcus Borg about the concept of religious pluralism.  It is the acceptance of the idea that two religious with conflicting claims are both valid.  I’m only halfway through the article at this point, but it’s an interesting idea which i don’t think many people in this country would embrace.  It’s very different from “religious tolerance”.

Something i am looking forward to next week: Hanging around our house once we get back to Raleigh, playing morning bridge, and just being home without having to go to work.

Something i am hoping: I want to get a good start on our 2010 goals (aka new year’s resolutions) this week.

Something random: Lance and i received 100% of the books that were gifted on Christmas Day at our house.  Combined, we received approximately twenty books.

Something captured: Posing and displaying some of our loot at Grandma’s house on Christmas morning.