. . . freakin' sexist.

Posted by: Attila at 06:49 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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regarding abuse of the English language?

I know some of you are engineers, and unlikely to be upset about overuse of "hopefully." But certainly you've come across some copy that refers to statistical changes in populations, and makes little/no sense. ("Incidence of blankety-blank dropped by 150% over two years." "Rates increased by two-thirds, to 120 over the previous 100.")

Posted by: Attila at 10:35 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Am I a "RINO"? Mostly I think I might be. But I despise John McCain as much as anyone out there.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Attila at 10:26 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 The world has finally started to report the news about a movement to draft Condoleezza Rice as our next president in 2008. I guess advertising on WMUR ABC TV on September 27 was an act of pure genius by Dr. Richard Mason. Miss Attila, your coverage of our TV ad being unveiled in Arizona is very appreciated. So I am proud to tell you that we are starting to advertise on October 16 in Des Moines Iowa starting with ABC This Week with George S. Then on The View, Good Morning America, and the 4tn episode of "Commander in Chief" on October 18. Add the local news and you get a flavor of what we are up to before the October 22 Republican State dinner. We will have a booth, hoping to speak directly to over 400 people who will be attending the dinner in Iowa. This is my fourth trip to Iowa, and we now have volunteers from Iowa to help at the booth. What a joy to have success after 10 months of travel and promotion of our vision for the future of our nation, Condoleeezza Rice as our next president in 2008.

Posted by: Crystal Dueker at October 14, 2005 04:38 PM (ywZa8)

2 RINO? I thought we had a big tent?

Posted by: Chuck at October 14, 2005 09:10 PM (R/J3m)

3 Not a RINO, a RID--Republican in Denial A bright, witty, charming RID who still has flashbacks of her Liberal/Leftist/Socialist/Feminist past(so you've told me.) You find yourself now agreeing with LGF and Powerline, and spitting nails when you peruse the DU and that wacky Kos kid. BUT you just can't get used to hearing "Republican" associated with your name...Sound familiar? Cure? Avoid labels...Vote your conscience and write your mind. You are what you are, and that's good enough for your fans!

Posted by: Darrell at October 14, 2005 10:18 PM (TymWE)

4 I see I admit way too much here . . .

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 14, 2005 10:40 PM (LNv50)

5 Ha! No one with a blog will ever get confirmed to any office. These tend to become public confessionals over time.

Posted by: Desert Cat at October 15, 2005 08:33 AM (xdX36)

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. . . has been a very bad boy, and should be sent to bed without his supper.

Posted by: Attila at 11:01 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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has a few words of gentle, fatherly advice for Hugh Hewitt. I wouldn't call it negative criticism, exactly: more like helpful feedback.

Posted by: Attila at 04:18 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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the world was so full of Jewish cats.

Posted by: Attila at 09:19 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Vote for the King of the Cotillion!

(In other news, the Red Cross is offering a course in digital photography to the family/friends of conservative male bloggers . . . Hey! Why's everyone mad at me again?)

Posted by: Attila at 09:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 in my defense, Beth didn't bother to ask me which picture that I wanted to use. I either might have used this one or something from here

Posted by: MacStansbury at October 12, 2005 10:13 PM (FmdLR)

2 I didn't think yours was bad at all. Fact is, I'm surprised so few bloggers have plain old portraits (snapshot-style) of themselves.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 13, 2005 04:21 AM (EmfL0)

3 well, I have 'em now...for the dozens...and dozens...of my adoring fans. (it would be hundreds if we could get that anonymizer thingee to work)

Posted by: MacStansbury at October 13, 2005 08:46 AM (FmdLR)

4

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 13, 2005 10:53 AM (EmfL0)

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I told him the Prozac my OB-GYN had put me on for PMS was making me sleepy in the afternoons, and asked if he could sling me a little Wellbutrin to take in the morning so I can be perky/motivated. In return, I promised to go off sleeping pills soon. Real soon.

His counter-proposal: if I go off the sleeping pills first, then he'll give me the Wellbutrin. He's obviously a granola-crunching hippie Mother Nature's son kind of guy. Though he did give me some Fiorinal with codeine to have on hand against future migraine attacks.

So, you know: the quality of mercy is not strained.

Posted by: Attila at 04:07 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 If you take Prozac for PMS, why does it sound like you're doing them 30 days/mo.? Afternoon naps sound like a better way to go anyway... I worry about you!

Posted by: Darrell at October 12, 2005 09:29 PM (uXxzD)

2 I have the impression that you can't just take SSRIs part of the month--it has to be a steady thing.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 12, 2005 11:23 PM (EmfL0)

3 Also, the naps appear to be a side-effect of the Prozac, since without drugs I can't sleep at all. I feel like my afternoon sleepiness is at least teaching me what to do mentally to induce sleep (what are the best visualizations, relaxation exercises, etc.) So maybe I can use those same techniques at night.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 13, 2005 04:25 AM (EmfL0)

4 I see med schools use these mnemonics for remembering the side effects of SSRI's S- Sickness(nausea)/Sore heads(headache) S - Staggering (unsteadiness/Postural hypotension) R - Restlessness/Rashes I- Insomnia S- Slimming (fluoxetine reduces appetite)/Serotonin syndrome That about sums it up, don't you think? I see where the results are similar for intermittent(luteal phase) vs. continuous dosing for PMS. But, of course, you would have to consult with your doctor before making that change... Withdrawal symptoms could be a problem depending on your length of use. Still worrying!

Posted by: Darrell at October 13, 2005 09:21 AM (UrXGy)

5 My insomnia goes back to infancy--it's actually a broken body clock (delayed sleep phase syndrome: I'm designed to sleep 6 am to 2 pm). And I'm actually pretty pudgy, due to a small case of middle-age. The headaches would have shown up months ago if they were a side effect of the Prozac. In my case they probably reflect the movement of the Santa Ana winds around SoCal lately, which dehydrates me and increases my allergic reactions. And my normal treatment for headaches is lots of water, since I always think of dehydration first. It takes a lot for me to even pop an aspirin.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 13, 2005 10:59 AM (EmfL0)

6 How, pray tell, did anyone diagnose you with delayed sleep phase syndrome? Were you sent to a sleep lab at a university hospital? Even if this is so, you should be able to shift your body clock to match your environment. Melatonin or HTTP. Or you can find a time zone that accomodates you. Just think how big you can be in Hawaii, Alaska, or New Zealand? If you weren't so bright, witty, and charming, you'd be a handful!

Posted by: Darrell at October 13, 2005 12:13 PM (e09BU)

7 This might help

Posted by: beautifulatrocities at October 13, 2005 02:38 PM (KhHTV)

8 Thanks, Darrell; I suspect my husband thinks I'm a handful as it is. I've never been to a lab, but a sleep doctor finally told me what this phenomenon was called a few years ago. My father has it as well. Right now I'm dosing myself with sunlight, cutting back on caffeine, and making sure I don't sleep too late. It just freaks people out when one's schedule flips day-to-night, so I'm trying not to do so. Jeff--Figured it would be something like that! Excellent.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 13, 2005 08:27 PM (EmfL0)

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I'm still tremendously conflicted about Harriet Miers, though for the most part I'm willing to wait for the confirmation hearings, as so many advise.

Althouse has a nice little piece explaining why her opposition to Miers is "thawing." Definitely worth a read.

Via Protein Wisdom, where Jeff continues to oppose the nomination—and a lot of the name-calling that's ensued since Bush put Miers' name forward. And he's right about that: we should at least be able to discuss this civilly.

Posted by: Attila at 11:36 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 After 50 years of brilliance in the courts I am ready for just plain literate. Remember, too, that Rosie O'Grady and the Colonel's Lady are sisters under the skin.

Posted by: Walter E. Wallis at October 11, 2005 12:42 PM (wDJE+)

2 Yeah, but Kipling's narrator was a slut.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 11, 2005 03:06 PM (EmfL0)

3 Yeah, my whole take on the deal is essential "Eh, not what I wanted, but this will probably do." This got me essentially called "HERETIC, BLASPHEMER" and "coward". And this was by people I've known for years. *shrug*

Posted by: Masked Menace© at October 13, 2005 07:47 AM (ISV0b)

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. . . are having a cold war on the issue of whether it was more important to bring a pumpkin pie to a potluck, or to arrive somewhat on-time. No, reallly.

In school they spent years trying to teach me algebra; better they'd taught me how to get along with my fellow human beings.

And who invented this "marriage" stuff? It's entirely beyond me.

Posted by: Attila at 12:03 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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. . . penned an analysis of European politics that made me want to drink red wine, smoke cigarettes and strongly consider suicide at an outdoor cafe.

Posted by: Attila at 11:44 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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. . . of three different writer's groups headed up by my writing teacher. We were all supposed to read aloud some small snippet of our work. I went through all my files, and suddenly realized that every single thing I'd ever written—including all my blog entries, high school essays, and every word of my novel—was crap.

I read something anyway.

Posted by: Attila at 11:42 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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I now have perhaps the fifth migraine headache of my life, and the first one that's really lasted and hurt, rather than being purely visual or disappearing almost immediatly.

My grandmother had these. My mother used to get 'em, but controls the condition with medication.

So I guess the party's over, in case I hadn't figured it out from looking at my skin and hair—or feeling the twinges in my knees and ankles when I stretch at the wrong angle. I like to think I make up for it all in cunning.

Posted by: Attila at 07:46 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 The eyes go next. If you are nearsighted, you'll find yourself taking off your glasses for close work, then needing them a second later, then requiring them off. There's a period where even bifocals don't help. Next comes dry eyes. Painfully dry eyes. You'll have to settle for being at your sexual peak. Your hubby will have to perfect his neck massage technique to stop that headache inducing stress/tension. He may even run out and get you a bottle of Feverfew...I found it works most times.

Posted by: Darrell at October 09, 2005 09:05 AM (Gc/9N)

2 I'm ahead of you: I just got my first pair of reading glasses. I spend a lot of time switching around between the two pairs I'm glad I started T'ai Chi a while ago; I suspect that will help a lot.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 09, 2005 02:08 PM (EmfL0)

3 Those were just memories of my 40's...I've moved along, sigh. For me, things actually got better late in my 40's: I reached a time where my eyesight started improving as I aged. You never do reach that point where you can dispense with glasses altogether, but it gets better. Hang in there!

Posted by: Darrell at October 09, 2005 08:50 PM (sv6yy)

4 Oh, I shall. Consider the alternative

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 10, 2005 02:22 AM (EmfL0)

5 then there is the by the time you get your watch far enough away to see it clearly, it's too small to see it clearly point. or so I've heard at least.

Posted by: tommy at October 10, 2005 07:17 AM (TWHR8)

6 5 is not very many, but when you're in pain, it's hard to believe you will ever be out of it. It may be your last migraine, who knows? PS Can your Angels PLEASE take out the horrid Yanks today??

Posted by: jeff at October 10, 2005 10:17 AM (UvRVI)

7 Vinny Testaverde, age 41, led the NY Jets to a 14-12 victory on Sunday afternoon. Several hours later, Roger Clemens, age 43, pitched three shutout innings to get the win as the Astros defeated the Braves 7-6 in 18 innings. Ain't nothin' wrong with being over 40.

Posted by: joated at October 10, 2005 02:52 PM (M7kiy)

8 I have the perfect cure. Marathoning. Yep, that's the deal. Start running. When you start running you learn a lot about your body. You meet great people. It's fun. Two pack-a-day Pat started running at age 50. Ran a marathon in 2001. Qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2004. Here's something odd, though. I used to have migraines from my teens through my 20s. I saw a chiropractor and he fixed the problem. Later, the migraines came back. I suddenly realized that they came on within half an hour of eating peanuts. I stopped eating peanuts and, hey presto, no migraines.

Posted by: Pat at October 10, 2005 09:20 PM (BbD+1)

9 old age and treachery win over youthful inexperience every time. Try excedrine migraine with a large glass of water. If that doesn't work, see your doctor... they have wonderful new drugs that stop them before they start.

Posted by: Zendo Deb at October 10, 2005 09:48 PM (S417T)

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For years my father stayed abreast of this weblog by calling me to ask if I was still blogging. Eventually I began to suggest that there were other ways to find out beyond throwing me an interrogative.

Now he tells me that I'm losing my touch. I explain about the computer glitch that limits me to short entries.

He's unimpressed.

Parents constitute the ultimate tough room.

Posted by: Attila at 10:48 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Using Pirate Route A, I made it to Westchester in 55 minutes today. Coming back, I wasn't so lucky, but I think there were a few accidents that delayed freeway traffic and messed things up locally.

However, I'm going to look at the Gold Line. I could catch it in Pasadena, and she could just pick me up wherever it is that it stops. Thoughts?

I don't suppose we get to use the Diamond Lanes here in SoCal if we buy hybrid cars?

Posted by: Attila at 10:44 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Since my grandmother had so many heart attacks (and strokes) over so many years, mom just doesn't see how a teensy heart attack could possibly be a big deal. Very flattering and all, but why are my brother and I calling her so much now? (Gee, Mom. Maybe because the last heart attack Grandma had killed her?)

But I trust her to report the doctors' feedback faithfully, and it appears that all involved (again, except the sibling and I) see it as a non-event. So, onward.

Posted by: Attila at 10:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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it's real.

I drove to Westchester yesterday to check on the house my mother owns there, and see what needs to be done to it before she can move in. She had planned to move in November, but the tenant found another rental unexpectedly quickly, and he's out.

Paint, I told her. And a new back door. And the carpets look iffy.

Anyone know the shortcut to LAX?—that freeway the airport shuttle peopel use? It took me an hour and a half to get home yesterday via the 10/405, and I think I'm gonna need that route.

Posted by: Attila at 09:39 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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1 Downtown to LAX.......sounds like my daily commute. My route I take the 110 to the 105. First off if the hubby goes with you, you can use the carpool lanes that start just south of downtown and run all the way to LAX, including the carpool only interchange to the 105. Off the 105 you can take Aviation or Sepulveda exits. If there is a lot of airport traffic you can take the freeway to the end on Imperial Highway, go down to Pershing hang a right then take that to Manchester (depending on what part of Westchester). If you're alone you'll hit normal rush hour traffic but its not too bad once you get past USC going south. People seem to feel the urge to hit the brakes when the 110 goes up and down hills. On weekday mornings 105 traffic is heaviest west-bound in the afternoons the heavy traffic is east-bound. Going against traffic moves quite smoothly. On weekends the only thing that really screws things up is USC games. And the carpool interchange may be closed if they are filming a movie.

Posted by: the Pirate at October 07, 2005 10:27 AM (SksyN)

2 OR you can take the 10 to Fairfax, get off there and go south, then you'll hit La Cienega going south, take that through the hills then hang a right on La Tijera and you'll be in Westchester. Plus there must be a commuter flight from Burbank Airport to LAX, which could be quicker.

Posted by: the Pirate at October 07, 2005 10:34 AM (SksyN)

3 Pirate's right. 110-105 is fastest. If you think that's apt to be clogged based on the time of day, take Los Robles down to the 710 start to the 105. Takes about 10-15 minutes longer because of the stoplights in Alhambra. I am about to work in Watts, and I take the 110 to 105 to work, and 105 to 710 home because that's actually against traffic.

Posted by: caltechgirl at October 07, 2005 11:00 AM (WfvM0)

4 hey, you got more than 5 lines! what happened?

Posted by: caltechgirl at October 07, 2005 11:01 AM (WfvM0)

5 Right now the max appears to be 7

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 07, 2005 11:18 AM (Kti1Q)

6 The only problem I've run into on the 710 is truck traffic from the port.

Posted by: the Pirate at October 07, 2005 11:27 AM (SksyN)

7 What?!? Mom's coming to SoCal? Is this the end of your drives up to the Bay Area? I REFUSE to believe I MISSED A POST.

Posted by: k at October 07, 2005 01:06 PM (M7kiy)

8 Oh, I'll still be going up there. But I'll probably experiment at least once with taking her along. Based on the degree of argumentation I encounter, that could become a habit.

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 07, 2005 02:51 PM (Kti1Q)

9 How is she doing? Someone else had the same condition recently, but his was due to illegal activities

Posted by: beautifulatrocities at October 07, 2005 05:55 PM (1vA/l)

10 I don't know where you're coming from but I'd take the 605 to the 105. The 105 runs right to the airport.

Posted by: Chuck at October 07, 2005 08:30 PM (R/J3m)

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. . . keep misplacing their copies of Dale Carnegie, huh?

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. . . that journalists be held to the same standards as car manufacturers.

The spreading of lies about Hurricane Katrina constitute one more nail in the coffin of the heritage media.

Posted by: Attila at 01:45 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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CT has a thoughtful mini-roundup, and some bloggers are suggesting that we might want to give the President the benefit of a doubt. (It's certainly a thought: after all, in this instance he doesn't have the national checkbook in his hand.)

The Anchoress is also urging us to keep our powder dry; start here and then scroll her main page.

Posted by: Attila at 04:16 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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