Look Ma, No Sweat!

Got a voicemail from the city person saying the apt was inspected just as the repair person was putting in a coil.

I think it's fixed. The air coming out the vent is cooler and while the apt isn't icy, it's not miserable. At the moment it's up against a lot though.

One thing fixed, another up. Starting this morning, the channels over 50 (aka all the good ones like cartoon network, syfy, food, etc.) aren't coming in. Bleep you cable company. All the grief you gave me in the beginning saying that I hadn't paid when you had received the checks and returned them!!

Thank goodnes for hulu.

Fitness Flippy Floppies

So, in the spirit of talking about something other than my lack of AC and the people who just won't fix it, this:

Payless had Champion fitness flip flops (and shoes but they costs more and I've been living in flipflops lately) for $25. I checked at another shoe place but they just had shoes and they were over $100. Anyhoo, I liked these http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=077604120&productId=67425&subCatId=&catId=&lotId=077604&category=&catdisplayName=Womens+ but my heel was right on the edge and they didn't come in half sizes. I ended up getting these http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=078062060&productId=66911&subCatId=&catId=&lotId=078062&category=&catdisplayName=Womens+

They have more arch support and make me taller. I haven't noticed anything in the feeling any extra umph added to my walking about. Eh, they're comfortable. They had a little stitch ending thing that rubbed my toe but I put a bit of medical tape over it and all's good now.

Huh?

I know you're probably sick of the whole a/c less in the apt. Frankly I am too. The latest is the apt. person saying the ac is working, it's just not putting out air that's as cold as you'd probably expect. It's working but someone is supposed to be there sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, the city person is supposed to be there tomorrow. The apt people told the city person that the ac was working. I'm not clear on whether the city person was about to take them on their word on that or not, but like I said, supposed to check tomorrow.

Okay, so the fan part of the ac works. Air comes out of the vent, but it's not cold. If you hold your hand in front of the vent and then in front of the fan, it's the same air temperature. Popping your head in in the early morning is bs. It gets cool at night and so of course the apt is bearable to comfortable then. It's about 3 pm to 8 or 12, depending on how hot it got during the day, that I'm concerned about.

Anyway. Maybe it'll magically be fixed by the end of the week.

Updates

Still no ac. Sucks because I don't think the parental units will get to visit before the Bar. I don't really think anyone would have much fun in the high heat and stifling apartment. My main concern though is Xena. Really high heat isn't good for the very young or old and she wouldn't really have a cool spot to go to here. Maybe some miracle will happen.

I'm not sure about the SkinID. I currently have some major breaking out going on on my back. I also have a few big zits and some pebbly zits forming up on my face. To be fair though, I'm totally stressed with the Bar prep and the whole resentment of the lack of ac. Lack of ac also means I've been warm (you know it's hot if I'm sweating while sitting still!) so sweat and extra oil production usually don't bode well for clear skin prospects.

Having sleep issues. Anytime during the lectures I could just pass out. Almost any other time, can't sleep but feel tired.

I'm keeping my coffee consumption to below crack-head levels. I'm only letting myself have one (small) cup a day. I'll let myself start stepping up in a week or so. It's just that if I didn't start at a low level, I'd need an i.v. drip going while I sat for the Bar.


Running late and should go . . .

Vovo. . . Vuvuz . . . Vuvuzela

http://www.switched.com/2010/06/24/add-vuvuzelas-to-almost-anything-online-even-youtube/?icid=main|main|dl8|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.switched.com%2F2010%2F06%2F24%2Fadd-vuvuzelas-to-almost-anything-online-even-youtube%2F


Wow. . .

I stumbled upon World Cup stuff while channel surfing and it's like a giant beehive that's been hit with an annoying stick that just doesn't stop. You've either got to really LOVE soccer or have the television on mute to be watching that.

Yeah, and I don't even drink.

So . . . I don't drink. Yet I feel this song goes with the whole bar prep, no ac, craziness going on. Anyhoo. . .

Apt Drama Continues

Yeah, so found out there's at least one other apt without ac that has reported to the city maintenance people. I mean, it's not a number the stick on the fridge or something obvious like that so who knows how many other might still be having ac issues.


I might be moving out early. . .


Is it really so hard to fix air conditioning?

in case you were wondering

Someone showed this to me. Yeah, it pretty much sums up Bar Prep.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfFzY4zlSQ8

Blah.

So the apt people were supposed to have the ac people come and fix things today. No word on that. Some building inspector person is/was supposed to check in today or tomorrow. No word.

The place is even more of a mess than usual because when it's so hot and miserable in there I don't have it in me to do anything. If I'm sweating just sitting there I'm not going to go scrub the tub and vacuum the floor. And people are traipsing about now.

I'm sick of feeling trapped. I'm sick of not being able to do laundry unless I feel like getting creative with where I can hang things to dry. I'm sick of not being able to fix myself dinner when I want. I'm sick of not being able to get to sleep until the alarm goes off. Blah.

I'm cranky.

update

Still no AC. The people are supposed to be having another ac company look at the unit and not leave until it is fixed. Grrr. . . It's supposed to be 99 Sunday according to weather.com. They'd better fix the ac.

I've never been so cranky about ac not being a constructive eviction ground. I mean really, have they tried having a top floor walk-up apartment in a heat wave that lacks ac? I mean sure back in time they didn't have ac in a lot of homes, but the homes were built to compensate for that. You had windows that you could open to let in air and you didn't have giant heat sources like sliding glass doors that the afternoon sun seared through.


Anyhoo, off to "Work" I go. Honestly, I'm totally not above looking into becoming whatever the female equivalent of Jack Sparrow is.

Huh.

So, popping in some artists in eventful (they're the ones who gave me the heads up on the Vienna Teng concert I went to!), I realized that I really need to find a/some music buddy/ buddies. Good luck to me with that!

melting! (and a good bit of venting)

Okay, so anyone who knows me knows that I'm usually cold. Well not in my apartment lately! Geez but it wasn't this bad when I moved in in August. I mean starting around 3/ 3:30 to about 11 or 12 at night and even a bit later, it is horrid. I mean, I've taken to putting cold water in the tub and standing in it. I'm sleeping on the sofa with two fans blowing on me! It's bad because for me to be comfortable enough temperature wise to sleep, I'm uncomfortable with all the air blowing on me and waking up unable to breath. This has been going on for probably at least two weeks. The apt. people say they checked things out and then called ac people. The apt. people are now saying that nothing is wrong with the ac and that people had been there three times. They said they were there around 10 this morning. Well it hasn't been bad until starting around 3 when the sun really starts coming in. I mean, even if it got hot when the sun was right on it, shouldn't the apt cool down pretty quickly once the sun went down? The other day I was sweating and stood right under a vent. I reached my hand up and felt the air. Then I walked over to the fan set on low and put my hand in front of it. No real difference in either temperature or force of air flow. I get cranky when I'm over heated. I'm cranky that I'm not getting any sleep. I'm cranky that I can't study in my own apt in the evening because it's too hot to think. I'm cranky because I'm sick of not even being able to bear to nuke a hot pocket because it's so hot and miserable in the apt. I'm cranky that this whole this is making me feel miserable and messing with my studying. I paid for an apt with a/c and now I'm thinking an unairconditioned one with my little window unit would have been more comfortable.


It's just sketchy because it got a bit warm when we moved in (in AUGUST!) and kept opening the door, but it cooled down once we shut the door. And now I have the insulating curtains so you'd think things would be cooler!

Grrr. . . back to trying to play catch-up.


UPDATE:
The apt. went to the apt. in the afternoon and said that the air coming from the vents was warm. Yeah, the person they had and paid to come in three times apparently didn't do anything and the apt. people never thought to check the person's work. Now they're trying step by ever so minuscule step to fix it. Meanwhile the heat index in 100.

Song . . . yeah, no more details.

Missy Higgens - Where I Stood

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/missyhiggins/whereistood.html


"I don't know what I've done
Or if I like what I've begun
But something told me to run
And honey you know me it's all or none

There were sounds in my head
LIttle voices whispering
That I should go and this should end
Oh and I found myself listening

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood

See I thought love was black and white
That it was wrong or it was right
But you ain't leaving without a fight
And I think I am just as torn inside

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood

And I won't be far from where you are if ever you should call
You meant more to me than anyone I ever loved at all
But you taught me how to trust myself and so I say to you
This is what I have to do

'Cos I dont know who I am, who I am without you
All I know is that I should
And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you
All I know is that I should
'Cos she will love you more than I could
She who dares to stand where I stood
Oh, she who dares to stand where I stood "

Lazy with a bit of venting and TMI. Lots of whining too.

Yeah, I should be getting to something but can't seem to get the lead out. I think I might be a little cranky. Just little things but whatever.

Hmmm, some random musings. Does anyone ever call the numbers they post on the U.S. Cellular commercials? Does anyone else find the commercial with the women standing around a rhinoceros (I forget what it's for) annoying. "It's a brush." "It's a pipe!" It just annoys me. No particular reason.

It's been really hot outside and the ac's not been compensating well. The giant windows with the sun shining directly through for hours on end doesn't help anything. Anyway. My added annoyance is that I can't sleep without a blanket. Really. I don't care if it's 500 degrees, I can't sleep without a blanket. If I'm really tired, maybe I can go to sleep with a sheet but that's rare.

Looking at the weather report for the next week, highs are 90 +. Joy.

Saw Eragon was coming on SYFY last night and got excited. Watched about 15 minutes of it and ended up changing channels. Seemed an awful lot like the whole Ella Enchanted thing. You had the same names and now and then a few moments that were reminiscent of the book but that's it. I can totally see why there hasn't been another movie. What ever happened to casting/ doing make-up and costuming so that the characters bear some resemblance to how they're described in the book?

Anyhoo. . . off to review and try to cram torts. I haven't a clue why, but torts MBEs are kicking my butt.

Update

Yeah, so after getting back from the movie I came back and got all grungy and settled in. Then the power went out. Right as I was about to nuke my late dinner. Grrr. Called the power company and the person thought I was married to my dad and then said that the power probably wouldn't be back on until 10:30. Of course it was hot and humid and getting worse in the apt. I got dressed again, grabbed dinner at Sheetz (they offered me free fries but I'm trying to stay away from fries and chips. Once I start, I have problems stopping.), ate it at school and did some reading. I don't know when the power came back but it was on when I got back at 10:30. Of course it took me a while to settle in and get to sleep. Grrr. Yesterday I crashed out early and then was wiped out today. I think I'm just in a bit of a slump or playing touch and go with whatever's running through the class. Yesterday I caught myself falling asleep on a bench outside so I came inside. Then I fell asleep with someone else in the room. That pretty much doesn't happen. I don't sleep well in public. Partly because I drool, snore, and talk. I don't know what I say because no one's ever actually had the guts to tell me what I said. That's worrisome. I mean, is it that bad? What do I say?

I think the ac might be working a bit better. It'll be 97 Sunday so here's hoping things are chilly inside.

Oh, did a little show hunting yesterday. Nothing fit that I really really loved. One pair was okay but a bit plain and I wanted a little subtle interest point. Dunno.

Hmmmm, think that's it.

Special shout out to the Chinese Writer!

*sigh*

I bribed myself today. Go to what feels like a pointless lecture and I get to go see Kick Ass. It'll only be playing at the Dollar Theater today and tomorrow. Wasn't there long. I guess they're not keeping it long since it's rated R and not as profitable as a "family" film. Anyway. About two hours of gratuitous violence and profanity to celebrate 8 hours of torts lectures. Works for me.

Yeah, I know it sounds terribly slackerish but I'm just taking my early out on Friday today.

Been staying to school more. Partly because my apt's been getting so hot. Partly to try to establish a bit of cut off. I want to be able to just stay and work and then just leave everything at school, go back and just get things done that need to be done and go to bed. Slowly but steadily I think I'm getting a little better. Still need to work in some walking time.

So, 2-4 hours of lecture, supposedly 6 hours minimum of additional studying on weekdays 12 over the weekend, clean/keep clean living spaces, keep clothes clean, exercise, fix food, bathe, and try to remain sane. Doesn't seem like much does it?

Another Ruminations.com quote that I like.

"Don't call me anti-social just because I don't want to hang out with you. It's summer; I told you of my plans to become a hermit before school let out. "

Karate Kid (2010)

So I saw Karate Kid last night. If you went into it after growing up with the original Karate Kid and entered the new one expecting the same, it was a bit meh. If you went into it without putting it againt the original, you know just let it stand alone, it was good.

I think I'd like the soundtrack.

I have the strong urge to now go and watch the old Karate Kid movies . . .

But must now try to get a bit of studying in.

Thanks, but . . .

Hey, I'm totally tickeled pink that apparently some people I've never met have read my blog and have taken the time to comment on it. Really, thanks y'all!


Now here's the but:

I think something is lost in the translation when I put the (I'm assuming, sorry but I'm horrible at languages) Chinese characters through babelfish. Maybe throw some English in there too to help me out? And just out of curiosity, why do I have so many readers/messages in Chinese? Just wondering. Anyhoo, thanks and keep the nice comments coming (any not nice comments had better be constructive or they'll get deleted!).

Hallmark

http://www.aolnews.com/article/hallmark-yanks-card-after-complaints-of-slur-against-black-women/19513764?icid=main|main|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Farticle%2Fhallmark-yanks-card-after-complaints-of-slur-against-black-women%2F19513764

I'm sorry but I don't hear the r. Maybe it's just me?

Trying to stay positive

Had a practice essay thing today. I got them both inside out, upside down, convoluted 5 million ways from Tuesday WRONG. But I learned. I learned some black letter law, how to attack the questions better, and more about what the questions mean. I tend to remember the things I get wrong so maybe this is a good thing. Also, I look at my horribleness on essays as just having to get the stupid out of my system. As I do more, I learn more and hopefully each try will suck a little less than the last and I'll be somewhat coherent by the end of July.


Oh, anyone liking the whole product evaluation thing?

yet another ruminations.com quote

"My fiancé told me that he isn't really a "dog person" and isn't thrilled about our new puppy but knows how much I love dogs and is excited for me to have one. I told him I understand…because I will feel exactly the same way when we have kids someday. "


I like it because I like puppies but babies and small children freak me out.

Quick Skin ID update

Okay, so far so good. A little dryness and irritation on my nect and chest but I'm cutting back a bit on the product use there and those are spots that get like that at the drop of a hat anyway. I had a little dry patch on my nose, but that was just a random little spot.

Overall, not worse and much better than other things I've tried.

another random quote from ruminations.com

"Sometimes, I like to leave little red herrings in my life to puzzle any policemen investigating my potential murder. 'We found fifty headless dolls buried in a shallow grave 'round back. What could this mean?' Your move, detective. "

School Lunches

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/04/chefs-declare-assault-on-chicken-nuggets-and-other-school-lunche/?icid=main|main|dl3|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parentdish.com%2F2010%2F06%2F04%2Fchefs-declare-assault-on-chicken-nuggets-and-other-school-lunche%2F


So first off, I'd like to point out that this isn't a new issue and Jamie Oliver (an Englishman!) most recently tried to bring some of the issues to light in his Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. One thing I have to say that I definitely liked about his show: he actually did try to change the school meals.

I think a lot of this "teach healthy eating" that they have in schools is bs. I remember hearing about the food pyramid and having a colorful plate in health class right after coming from a lunch room where all the trays were filled with beige and white. You can't just say eat your veggies, you've got to actually give people the chance to eat them. So the steamed broccoli isn't flying out of the serving pans? Well they're always saying that you have to keep offering foods to kids before they'll finally even try it. Oh, and maybe get rid of the candy, chips, and other crap so the little brats are hungry enough that they'll eat what's on their plate. (I'm not knocking potato chips or candy. They're quite yummy in moderation. They just do not by themselves constitute a lunch.)


I put some blame on parents who are too interested in being their kids' friends than their parents. I put some of the blame on the schools and government programs that put the crap out for the kids.

I could rant for pages more, but have to get going.

Ta.

Evaluation - Rimmel

Okay, so I have oily skin. I mean like 30 minutes after I wash my face it's shiny. Don't get me started on hot and or humid days! My face makes BP look like nothing. Now I should also admit that I'm cheap when it comes to make up. I go into sticker shock at anything over $14. And if it's $14, it had beeter be a huge container. See? Told you I was cheap. Maybe because I'm still just not used to the whole make up thing. Maybe if I could buy a little bit to try and see how the color works and whether I liked it first, I'd be willing to pay more. If you just can't find a shade that works for you, money adds up awful fast in the cosmetics section.

I have to give it to Rimmel, I'd buy more from them. I've tried their Fix & Perfect foundation primer and put their Stay Matte Skinpure complex on top. I can't say I stayed completly shine free but compared to other make up and skin left alone, it was amazing. Now, I skipped the moisturizer and put the foundation primer on let it sit a bit, and then put the foundation on. It survived the heat and humidity of gratuation and then the heat, humidity, and greater amount of sweat of yesterday. WOW! The foundation by itself is okay for ordinary wear, but I think it does even better with the primer.

So, I'd reccomend it to people with oily skin.

In No Particular Order . . . Okay, it's a jumble.

So I almost caused an accident right after I got out of the parking lot. I saw Vienna Teng and Alex Wong loading gear in their car!!! Kicking myself because they were withing like 50 feet of my car if I'd only seen them in time I could have gotten my two new cds autographed!!! As it was I didn't have a place to pull over and being in an unfamiliar area and not knowing how traffic would be. . . oh, and it being night. The moment vanished. Hopefully I'll get another chance. I find myself wondering if maybe I could have some how talked myself out getting into trouble if I had just slammed on the brakes, hit the emergency flashers, and tried to get autographs.

I loved them (VT and AW) opening. It was mostly from the latest album. It was waaaaayyyy too short though. I think I like the original version of "Gravity" better, though it might just be that I'm used to it and not to the new one so the new sounds off/odd/not as pleasant/whatever. I like how I saw her perform before going to ls and then after. Symmetry. (Though I wish I'd been able to go to more of her concerts.)

I learned today that "pedestrian mall" is inland for boardwalk. I got there super early because I didn't know how lost I'd get and thought there'd be more things to do and places to shop. Long story short and not as cranky sounding, I walked up and down the place a couple times and got increasingly hot and cranky. Felt better after making myself eat something though. I don't know if I just wasn't in the shopping mood or what but all the stores seemed like they were the type I could basically just find on Chincoteague. Eh.

Brandi Carlile was good. Better than I thought really. I liked when the twins sang "The Sound of Silence."

Oh, should probably explain. I went to a Brandi Carlile concert in Charlottesville at the Jefferson. Well, it was Brandi Carlile's main show, but I went because Vienna Teng and Alex Wong were opening. Opening not main performers and in a place where I ending up standing the whole time (of course the tall people kept getting in front of me)), but hey, I'll take what I can get and it was still great to see them perform. I just wish they'd had t-shirts. I wanted a new one. Lots of Brandi Carlile shirts, but no Vienna Teng.

Tired but keyed up at the momemnt. Anyway, back to the grind tomorrow. Or actually later today.

Conversion

Yes, I have decided to convert. After about four years (?) of Proactive, I have switched to SkinId. Not that Proactive did any better or worse than any of the prescription of "buy at the office" products they've had me on, it's just I want to see if this is any better. So I filled out the survey thingy and they gave me the numbers of the stuff that should work on my skin. I ordered it about a week ago. Then I got an e-mail the day before yesterday saying it had shipped. I was on the phone yesterday complaining about the week it took to ship it when there was a knock on my door. Oh. Well, my bad.

So, what came in the box? My cream cleanser, toner, cream, free travel bag, normal size thing of acne body wash, some oil absorbing papers, and teeny tiny bottle of spot treatment. So, what do I think of it all so far? The body stuff has a very slightly gritty texture but foams well. I'm just using it on my chest and back. I like the cleanser. It has a touch of the "clean tingle" and lathered/foamed pretty well. My face felt clean so it cut the grease. I guess I like the toner. It has a hint of the "clean tingle" and feels like toner. I don't like the bottle though. It's the only one that doesn't have the little squeeze top. You have to unscrew the top and then just hold the cotton ball/pad over it and tip. I don't like that because I have a tendency to drop things and the squeeze top keeps me from losing the whole bottle in one fell swoop. I'll probably pick up a little travel bottle and put it in that. The cream, um, so far it's acne cream. I haven't even used it for a day so you'll have to wait to hear about results.

The price is comparable to Proactive and the SkinId had a thing where you can contact a dermatologist. Sure it's not the same as seeing them but I figure if I get the dry and peeling while being an oil slick that I got on some other things, I could call them and maybe they could switch a number/item and things will work with some tweaking.

It sucks having acne. It really sucks being over 20 and having acne.

Miranda

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/supreme-court-rules-on-miranda-protections/19498730?icid=main|main|dl1|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolnews.com%2Fnation%2Farticle%2Fsupreme-court-rules-on-miranda-protections%2F19498730

So the new ruling on Miranda rights. I kinda ask the same question as Justice Sotomayor. You have the right to remain silent. BUT you have to say that you're gonna remain silent. Okaaay. Sure it's not a big thing to just say, "Yo, dude, I like totally invoke my Constitutional right to like remain silent." BUT, my understanding was that the criminal justice system was to favor the defendant. I don't know about you, but sometimes I get nervous and don't always do the brightest things. Heck, I freak out and start questioning my driving for the last ten minutes every time I see a police car (even an empty one!). If the police car is following me on the road, the freak out is even greater. So if I were ever to be detained by the police and have a bunch of questions fired at me, I'd probably pass out. (Now, assuming that I didn't attend law school,) I might not remember that I DO have the right to remain silent. I mean here I am sitting there trying to just keep my mouth shut and these people who are in charge keep asking me questions. They must know the law better than I do, right? I mean they're police officers, this is their job. Maybe since they keep badgering me, I have to talk?

I mean, if they want to say "Yes I did it!" fine. They should know to just keep their mouths shut. I think I'm thinking about a situation where the officers ask some questions, the suspect stays quiet. Then the police just keep badgering them until they wear down or start questioning whether they understood the warning properly.

I'm all for bagging the bad guy, but I also think there's a fine line to some things. To paraphrase someone, When fighting monsters, be sure not to become one yourself. I haven't read the case yet and haven't really digested this fully yet, but I'm not sure that I feel this to be in the original spirit of Miranda.

Not sure if it's a good, bad, or in the end neutral thing.

I would like to know if part of the warning is going to be changed so that suspects must be warned that they have the right to remain silent and that they must state that they want to invoke that right if they do. I think I'd feel better with it.

Like I said, it's early and I still need to digest this.