Domestic Geek

Ten Things I Like to Do Alone

1. Curl up with a good book
2. Watch Chick Flicks (nobody to laugh at me when I cry at sappy parts)
3. Cross Stitch
4. Shopping
5. Road trips to check out craft or scrapbook stores
6. Fishing
7. Soak in a tub
8. Watch a sunrise
9. Surf websites in bed with my laptop
10. Take a nap in the afternoon

I've been through a pretty rough period since I've been underemployed for so long. Now that I'm finally starting to see a light at the end of that dark tunnel, I'm starting to think about things I would like to have. Here's some things I've been dreaming of buying as soon as I have some extra cash:

Thirteen Things I Want

1. A Motorcycle — I've always wanted to get a Harley and join a motorcycle club. I'd even like to make the trek to Sturgis one day.
2. A Professional Stand Mixer — It's so much easier to make stuff with a stand mixer rather than a hand held one. I'd love a professional grade one.
3. An Embroidery Machine — I've written how I'd like to own an embroidery business. I love embroidered garments!
4. An Ice Shaver — I love snowcones, but I hate paying the prices for them during the summer.
5. Wacom Intuos3 Tablet — I have a small graphics tablet, but I'd love to have the big one. It's so much easier to work on computer graphics with a pen instead of a mouse.
6. A Tankless Water Heater — If I want to stand in the shower for an hour, I'd like the water to still be hot. I can only get about a 12 minute shower before the water turns cold.
7. A Boat — I want a nice sized boat that I can hang out on.
8. A Professional Digital Camera — and the classes to learn how to use it.
9. A Video Camera — I'd love to make some movies.
10. A Pool Table — Playing pool is so much fun, but I hate playing in halls or when other people are waiting to use the table.
11. A Clarinet — I really miss playing and I would love to start practicing again. There's got to be some kind of adult group I can join around here.
12. A guitar — I took an introductory class in college, but I would really love to learn to play.
13. Land — this is what I want more than anything. Once we can get out house on some land, I can work on some of the other things I'd like to get: another dog, a garden, a horse. etc.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Thirteen of My Favorite Comics

1. Foxtrot — Bill Amend's Fox family is the greatest creation ever. I think one of the things that makes me love it so are the inside computer jokes. Bill went into semi-retirement at the first of the year and only publishes the strip on Sundays now.
   
2. Funky Winkerbean — I loved this strip, especially the world's greatest band director, Mr. Harry L. Dinkle. It was really popular during the time I was studying music and in marching band, so again it's relevant humor to me.
   
3. Helen Sweetheart of the Internet — It's been well over a year since this strip went on sabbatical. Sadly, I don't think it's going to return. It's about a gorgeous, blond computer geek chick. I just love her attitude! There's a collection of Helen strips called Techies Unite still for sale used over at Amazon. I have to get it.
   
4. Joy of Tech — Another geeky cartoon. I love this one because it's more geared towards Apple/Macs, but there is other computer humor thrown in here and there.
   
5. Sherman's Lagoon — I love Sherman and all of the creatures in the lagoon. I'm a lot like Megan in the strip below. One of my favorite themes was when they were going to sell their island to Bill Gates. I'll have to see if I can find that comic. They were funny!
   
6. Garfield — Who wouldn't love a lasagna-eating, teddy bear loving, dog-booting cat?
   
7. Peanuts — A timeless classic. This strip reminds me of my childhood. I really liked the strips that had Schroeder on his toy piano.
   
8. Dilbert — You don't have to have a corporate job to appreciate the humor of Dilbert, but it sure helps!
   
9. Get Fuzzy — I get this one emailed to me everyday. A single advertising guy and his pets. I really feel sorry for the poor dog, Satchel. Bucky, the cat, is always so mean to him! Anyway, this one below is one of my favs since the author threw in a little Harry Potter.
   
10. Day by Day — I started reading this strip because I agree with a lot of the political message the author has. I really love the young tech guy, who happens to be black and a conservative. He battles quite often with the liberal woman. There are also a couple of 40-something engineers. Good stuff.
    
11. The Far Side — Once again, a strip that was very popular back in my college days. Even though the comic was retired it 1995, it is still everywhere. The humor is priceless and still gives me a good chuckle whenever I see it.
    *Here's a special one in honor of the upcoming Easter holiday!
    
12. Love is... — This one has been around as long as I can remember. I think my mom used to cut these out of the paper every day. I still think they're touching (although sometimes a little sappy!).
    
13. Ziggy — Even though this strip has been around forever, I still love it.
    

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Ten Things I Love About Springtime
Even though the temps are supposed to be back down in the 50s here today, the weather was beautiful yesterday. I've definitely got a case of spring fever, as my seasonal allergies can attest!

1. Flowering trees
2. Longer days
3. Garden centers reopening
4. Daffodils
5. Rain instead of snow
6. Thunderstorms
7. Sunroof open
8. Dry, ice-free pavement
9. Lilac bushes bloom
10. Open the doors to let fresh air in

Ten Movie Characters I Love
Oh, there are so many, but here's a few off the top of my head:

1. Captain Jack Sparrow - Pirates of the Caribbean: played by Johnny Depp
2. Severus Snape - Harry Potter: played by Alan Rickman
3. Aragorn - The Lord of the Rings: played by Viggo Viggo Mortensen
4. Willy Wonka - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: played by Gene Wilder
5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Amadeus: played by Tom Hulce
6. William Wallace - Braveheart: played by Mel Gibson
7. Neo - The Matrix played by Keanu Reeves
8. Wesley - The Princess Bride: played by Cary Elwes
9. James P. "Sulley" Sullivan - Monsters, Inc: voice by John Goodman
10. Jay & Silent Bob* - Clerks and other Kevin Smith films: played by Jason Mewes & Kevin Smith

*Yes, I know they are two characters, but they're inseparable!