Earlier this week at work many of my co-workers were discussing what they were going to give and/or give up for Lent. Some of the folks are (still) Catholic and some are, shall we say, “reformed†Catholics - as in, grew up Catholic but have chosen some other path; while others are of other various, primarily Christian, denominations. While I understand and appreciate the concept of Lent, it is nothing that I ever remember as being any kind of a discussed or practiced ritual in my childhood home. Not that our household was anti-religion, we just didn’t really practice anything much past when I was maybe in 1st or 2nd grade. So this brings me to my situation.
I thought that maybe it the spirit of things I would consider giving something up for Lent. You know, camaraderie and all. Anyway, as I was discussing this with people in relation to what they were giving up, I came to a somewhat perplexing discovery. Finding something to give up is considerably harder than I expected. First I thought, “What the heck can I even give up?†I mean, I don’t drink, I quit smoking 2 years ago (which I actually think should be enough giving up of something to last an entire lifetime), don’t have much in the way of a sex-life since I haven’t really found anyone who has sparked my interest since my husband died (which, again, I say would be enough giving up of something to last an entire lifetime-maybe two lifetimes) - man my life is looking kind of pathetic here. Then some people were talking about certain foods they were giving up. This got me thinking, oh, hell (sorry) no! We’ve already been doing a kind of “Biggest Loser†competition at work for just over a month now (in which I am ahead - lost 14 lbs. so far), which has me (back) on an Atkins-esque type diet. So, with this diet I have already basically given up carbs, meaning, I no longer eat potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, sweets, chips, chocolate, ice cream, candy, etc., and very little fruit. I also don’t drink any soft-drinks or other sugary and/or juice-type drinks. I pretty much only drink water, coffee, and occasionally V-8. This kind of leaves meat, cheese, and vegetables, and on rare occasion some blackberries or raspberries - guess I just can’t quite see myself giving up any other foods.
Then someone told me they don’t give anything up - rather they “give†for Lent. This co-worker said they were going that day to give blood. I thought - ok that’s great. Then I remembered, the last time I tried to give blood they wouldn’t take it because I was anemic. Guess maybe that’s out too. And, besides, I already made an e-strip donation.
So, then I thought - well, maybe I should just give up my kids (after all, who couldn’t use a 40 day vacation) - but then thought, nah, you’re supposed to give up something you like (hahahaha), or make some sacrifice, and besides, who the hell else would want them.
Finally - the only vices I have left that would truly be a sacrifice for me are swearing and coffee and... she says as she takes another sip... “there’s no f***ing way I’m giving them up!†So, I guess I’ve come to my conclusion; I’m giving up trying to give up anything for Lent.
Peace to all this Lenten season.
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02/27/2009 22:37 #47905
Re-LENT-Less02/22/2009 14:33 #47858
Need Computer AdviceCategory: computer
I’m looking for a new (refurbished) laptop computer and have been checking out some stuff on e-bay. I could use a little advice from some of you incredibly knowledgeable folks regarding some basics. I’ve been looking at Dells, primarily at the D600, 610, 620’s with the Windows XP Professional OS but they have really varied configurations. I need to know what folks recommend regarding the following:
What is the minimum speed you recommend for a processor?
What type of processor do you recommend? (i.e., Intel Core 2 Duo; Intel Core Duo; Intel Pentium Mobile; Intel Pentium 4, etc.)
What Processor Config do you recommend? (i.e., Single Core, Dual Core)
Minimum RAM recommended?
Minimum Hard Drive capacity recommended?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
What is the minimum speed you recommend for a processor?
What type of processor do you recommend? (i.e., Intel Core 2 Duo; Intel Core Duo; Intel Pentium Mobile; Intel Pentium 4, etc.)
What Processor Config do you recommend? (i.e., Single Core, Dual Core)
Minimum RAM recommended?
Minimum Hard Drive capacity recommended?
Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
theecarey - 02/22/09 19:02
I'll be due for a new lap sooner than I'd like, so I too am getting ideas now of what I should/shouldn't get. I need to bookmark this post and the answers/advice- great stuff, peeps!
I'll be due for a new lap sooner than I'd like, so I too am getting ideas now of what I should/shouldn't get. I need to bookmark this post and the answers/advice- great stuff, peeps!
tinypliny - 02/22/09 17:47
Oh and if you are a classical music (lossless) junkie just get a decent big hard-drive and save some money for an external mammoth harddrive. This reminds me I need to ask for advice from (e:strip) on this very issue. :D
Oh and if you are a classical music (lossless) junkie just get a decent big hard-drive and save some money for an external mammoth harddrive. This reminds me I need to ask for advice from (e:strip) on this very issue. :D
tinypliny - 02/22/09 17:38
Wow - nice summary (e:heidi). :) I have very little to add (and probably useless biased trivia, but here goes)
a) I don't like Dells. They have died on me in the past. I prefer Toshibas. I have had good luck with all my Toshibas. They are pricey - but not as pricey as some of the Dells for the same features. That being said, a ton of people are moving toward the tiny and ultra-portable and inexpensive EEE pcs. You may want to check them out. (e:heidi) has a cute little EEE that she says works great for her purposes. On the flip side toshiba come preloaded with a TON of junk software that I inevitably strip down. Its time consuming and sometimes, when you are in a hurry, its not worth the hassle. For eg. my latest toshiba came preinstalled with Vista - that I didn't like and it wouldn't take Xp. So I had to create a slipstreamed XP disc modified for this particular laptop. :::link:::
b) What do you need your laptop for? That should guide your decision on what bells and whistles you need.
c) Do not get AMD processors. Again, I have had awful experiences with them. Stick to Intel.
d) Get 2.0 GB RAM or above. Don't even think of anything less regardless of what OS you are going to put on your comp.
e) To be on the safe side - the biggest hard drive you can afford. They fill up faster if you are a movie-music-photo pack-rat. :)
Wow - nice summary (e:heidi). :) I have very little to add (and probably useless biased trivia, but here goes)
a) I don't like Dells. They have died on me in the past. I prefer Toshibas. I have had good luck with all my Toshibas. They are pricey - but not as pricey as some of the Dells for the same features. That being said, a ton of people are moving toward the tiny and ultra-portable and inexpensive EEE pcs. You may want to check them out. (e:heidi) has a cute little EEE that she says works great for her purposes. On the flip side toshiba come preloaded with a TON of junk software that I inevitably strip down. Its time consuming and sometimes, when you are in a hurry, its not worth the hassle. For eg. my latest toshiba came preinstalled with Vista - that I didn't like and it wouldn't take Xp. So I had to create a slipstreamed XP disc modified for this particular laptop. :::link:::
b) What do you need your laptop for? That should guide your decision on what bells and whistles you need.
c) Do not get AMD processors. Again, I have had awful experiences with them. Stick to Intel.
d) Get 2.0 GB RAM or above. Don't even think of anything less regardless of what OS you are going to put on your comp.
e) To be on the safe side - the biggest hard drive you can afford. They fill up faster if you are a movie-music-photo pack-rat. :)
heidi - 02/22/09 15:44
I like XP Pro... you need 1 gb RAM minimum to run it, 2 GB is better, 1.5 completely tolerable. Essentially, if the RAM isn't expandable to 2gb, the motherboard is so old that the processor will be too slow. (In other words, the exact processor speed isn't all that important.) If you go with Vista, avoid Basic, Home Premium is nice. You'll want 3 gb RAM for it or at least have 2 gb with the option of upgrading the RAM later. Pentium 4s are probably out of date by now.
Harddrive size depends on what you do with it - if you plan on storing a lot of photos/media, you'll want something bigger. My 3 year old Toshiba laptop has a 100 gig hdd that is usually close to maxed out. If the machine you're looking at has a 40-80 gb hdd, it's too old and will not meet your needs for very long (unless you are literally looking for a surfing-only stupid box).
In my experience, Dell laptops are overpriced for the technology you get. I don't know how or if that plays out in the secondary market. If you're not going to be using it all day everyday, then an Acer might be an appropriate cheaper option - and might be affordable new.
Create a spreadsheet that will let you compare the specs of each machine that you are considering. You'll need to track at least these aspects:
- OS
- brand
- model
- processor type
- processor speed
- RAM installed
- RAM max (you'll google search the specs of the model if it doesn't tell you)
- hard drive
- other stuff important to you: card reader? bluetooth?
- price
I recommend checking tigerdirect.com for refurbs also. This will help you clarify what specs are most important to you and what range you want to look at.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask more questions.
I like XP Pro... you need 1 gb RAM minimum to run it, 2 GB is better, 1.5 completely tolerable. Essentially, if the RAM isn't expandable to 2gb, the motherboard is so old that the processor will be too slow. (In other words, the exact processor speed isn't all that important.) If you go with Vista, avoid Basic, Home Premium is nice. You'll want 3 gb RAM for it or at least have 2 gb with the option of upgrading the RAM later. Pentium 4s are probably out of date by now.
Harddrive size depends on what you do with it - if you plan on storing a lot of photos/media, you'll want something bigger. My 3 year old Toshiba laptop has a 100 gig hdd that is usually close to maxed out. If the machine you're looking at has a 40-80 gb hdd, it's too old and will not meet your needs for very long (unless you are literally looking for a surfing-only stupid box).
In my experience, Dell laptops are overpriced for the technology you get. I don't know how or if that plays out in the secondary market. If you're not going to be using it all day everyday, then an Acer might be an appropriate cheaper option - and might be affordable new.
Create a spreadsheet that will let you compare the specs of each machine that you are considering. You'll need to track at least these aspects:
- OS
- brand
- model
- processor type
- processor speed
- RAM installed
- RAM max (you'll google search the specs of the model if it doesn't tell you)
- hard drive
- other stuff important to you: card reader? bluetooth?
- price
I recommend checking tigerdirect.com for refurbs also. This will help you clarify what specs are most important to you and what range you want to look at.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask more questions.
02/20/2009 20:00 #47839
Lecturer Ruby Bridges -Civil Rights MvmtCategory: event
I received the following notice at work - thought it was worth sharing. The event is open to the public and is free.
On November 14, 1960, surrounded by armed U.S. Federal Marshals, a shy six-year old girl became the unwitting symbol of the nation’s struggle for civil rights and integration, as armed federal marshals escorted her past throngs of angry protesters into the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, to become the first black student in attendance at the school, and the youngest foot soldier of the Civil Rights Movement. Ruby Bridges continues to keep the spirit of tolerance and diversity alive today by bringing diverse populations together to develop relationship-building strategies.
As a lecturer, Ruby Bridges brings her message to children and adults
nationwide and leaves her audiences spellbound. Ms. Bridges will bring her message to the Seventh Annual African and African American History and Diversity Conference at McKinley High School on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM.
The conference theme is: "Yes We Can! The Road to The White House." The public is invited. There is no admission fee.
Contact McKinley High School (716) 816-4480 for more information.
On November 14, 1960, surrounded by armed U.S. Federal Marshals, a shy six-year old girl became the unwitting symbol of the nation’s struggle for civil rights and integration, as armed federal marshals escorted her past throngs of angry protesters into the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, to become the first black student in attendance at the school, and the youngest foot soldier of the Civil Rights Movement. Ruby Bridges continues to keep the spirit of tolerance and diversity alive today by bringing diverse populations together to develop relationship-building strategies.
As a lecturer, Ruby Bridges brings her message to children and adults
nationwide and leaves her audiences spellbound. Ms. Bridges will bring her message to the Seventh Annual African and African American History and Diversity Conference at McKinley High School on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM.
The conference theme is: "Yes We Can! The Road to The White House." The public is invited. There is no admission fee.
Contact McKinley High School (716) 816-4480 for more information.
02/11/2009 23:31 #47723
Vagina MonologuesCategory: theatre
For those interested, I've heard the show is really good.
02/09/2009 20:41 #47695
John CusackCategory: movies
I just watched the movie Grace is Gone (and am of course crying). I thought the movie was really good but I also just love John Cusack. He was great in the last two movies I saw him in too, Must Love Dogs and Martian Child. I really liked both of those movies too, and he plays great characters. I don't know why I never really paid much attention to him before.
I gave up cultural tourism today. :D
Nice post!
In the spirit of giving for lent, Atkins is total crap. You need carbs. Without carbs your brain can't function, your hormones are all over the place, and muscles can't work properly. You may lose weight, but a lot of that weight is going to be muscle. Check out Body for Life by Bill Philips. It has a very simple program of diet and exercise (who doesn't love doing cardio for only 20 minutes and having it being more effective than 40). The diet is way more tolerable. Eat five times a day, eat foods you actually like, and best of all, Sunday is your day off the diet.
I also gave up giving up something for lent this year, hahaha. P.S. Thanks for the donation.