Miss Katrinka

New Dame Darcy purse!

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 22:11:54 GMT

(I hope this doesn't go out to all the lists I'm on- my apologies if it does! I'm still trying out this new 'post to LJ' feature on photobucket_)

Here's a few pics of a *fabulous* Dame Darcy purse I scored on ebay lately:

I **luurve* it!! I'm gonna post a pic of the other side of the purse next...

Photobucket

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 05:15:47 GMT

This is a test post from Photobucket.com

This little ditty was just too funny to pass up...

Fri, 02 May 2003 22:32:21 GMT

Breaking news - Fire Damages Presidential Library, Washington, DC

A tragic and sad fire has destroyed the personal library of President
George W. Bush. Both of his books have been lost.

The president is reportedly devastated - apparently, he had not finished
coloring the second one.

It was one of those all-too-rare and fleeting moments...

Sat, 05 Apr 2003 01:51:03 GMT

We were resting in bed, with the puppy resting quietly between us, and sounds of 'Mira' echoed throughout the house. It was one of those all-too-rare and fleeting moments when I actually felt content...as if 'life is good'.
Suddenly, the pup jumps onto my head on her way to leaping to the floor...she then carries off a pair of my hosiery in her mouth, undoubtedly to chew another dozen holes in them. Thunder crashed loudly as pouring rain began to fall outside...and hubby began to snore- *loudly*.
Ah, well. It *was* one of those all-too-rare and fleeting moments...

Sun, 30 Mar 2003 00:57:10 GMT

I thought this was kinda funny, in a cool way:

Feeling a bit better today

Sun, 23 Mar 2003 01:02:27 GMT

Had these lyrics in me head all day...
Dear God,
I Hope you got the letter and
I pray that you can make it better down here.
I don't mean a big reduction in the price of beer.
But all the people that you made in your image,
See them starving on their feet
'Cause they don't get enough to eat
From God.
I Can't believe in you.

Dear God,
Sorry to disturb you but,
I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amounts of
tears.
But all the people that you made in your image,
See them fighting in the street
'Cause they can't make opinions meet
About God.
Can't believe in you.

Did you make disease
And the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind
After we made you?
And the Devil too...

Dear God,
Don't know if you've noticed but
Your name is on a lot of quotes in this Book.
Us crazy humans wrote it; you should take a look.
And all the people that you made in your image
Still believin' that junk is true.
Well, I know it ain't and so do you,
Dear God.

I can't believe in...
I don't believe in...

I won't believe in Heaven and Hell,
No saints, no sinners, no Devil as well,
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
You're always lettin' us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown,
Those lost at sea and never found.
And it's the same the whole world 'round,
The hurt I see helps to compound
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Is just somebody's unholy hoax.
And if you're up there, you perceive
That my heart's here upon my sleeve.
If there's one thing I don't believe in...

It's you,
Dear God.

("Dear God" by XTC)

I thought this was interesting

Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:20:46 GMT

The New York Times
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
Just War — or a Just War?
ATLANTA — Profound changes have been taking place in American foreign policy, reversing consistent bipartisan commitments that for more than two centuries have earned our nation greatness. These commitments have been predicated on basic religious principles, respect for international law, and alliances that resulted in wise decisions and mutual restraint. Our apparent determination to launch a war against Iraq, without international support, is a violation of these premises.

As a Christian and as a president who was severely provoked by international crises, I became thoroughly familiar with the principles of a just war, and it is clear that a substantially unilateral attack on Iraq does not meet these standards. This is an almost universal conviction of religious leaders, with the most notable exception of a few spokesmen of the Southern Baptist Convention who are greatly influenced by their commitment to Israel based on eschatological, or final days, theology.

For a war to be just, it must meet several clearly defined criteria.

The war can be waged only as a last resort, with all nonviolent options exhausted. In the case of Iraq, it is obvious that clear alternatives to war exist. These options — previously proposed by our own leaders and approved by the United Nations — were outlined again by the Security Council on Friday. But now, with our own national security not directly threatened and despite the overwhelming opposition of most people and governments in the world, the United States seems determined to carry out military and diplomatic action that is almost unprecedented in the history of civilized nations. The first stage of our widely publicized war plan is to launch 3,000 bombs and missiles on a relatively defenseless Iraqi population within the first few hours of an invasion, with the purpose of so damaging and demoralizing the people that they will change their obnoxious leader, who will most likely be hidden and safe during the bombardment.

The war's weapons must discriminate between combatants and noncombatants. Extensive aerial bombardment, even with precise accuracy, inevitably results in "collateral damage." Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander of American forces in the Persian Gulf, has expressed concern about many of the military targets being near hospitals, schools, mosques and private homes.

Its violence must be proportional to the injury we have suffered. Despite Saddam Hussein's other serious crimes, American efforts to tie Iraq to the 9/11 terrorist attacks have been unconvincing.

The attackers must have legitimate authority sanctioned by the society they profess to represent. The unanimous vote of approval in the Security Council to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction can still be honored, but our announced goals are now to achieve regime change and to establish a Pax Americana in the region, perhaps occupying the ethnically divided country for as long as a decade. For these objectives, we do not have international authority. Other members of the Security Council have so far resisted the enormous economic and political influence that is being exerted from Washington, and we are faced with the possibility of either a failure to get the necessary votes or else a veto from Russia, France and China. Although Turkey may still be enticed into helping us by enormous financial rewards and partial future control of the Kurds and oil in northern Iraq, its democratic Parliament has at least added its voice to the worldwide expressions of concern.

The peace it establishes must be a clear improvement over what exists. Although there are visions of peace and democracy in Iraq, it is quite possible that the aftermath of a military invasion will destabilize the region and prompt terrorists to further jeopardize our security at home. Also, by defying overwhelming world opposition, the United States will undermine the United Nations as a viable institution for world peace.

What about America's world standing if we don't go to war after such a great deployment of military forces in the region? The heartfelt sympathy and friendship offered to America after the 9/11 attacks, even from formerly antagonistic regimes, has been largely dissipated; increasingly unilateral and domineering policies have brought international trust in our country to its lowest level in memory. American stature will surely decline further if we launch a war in clear defiance of the United Nations. But to use the presence and threat of our military power to force Iraq's compliance with all United Nations resolutions — with war as a final option — will enhance our status as a champion of peace and justice.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, is chairman of the Carter Center in Atlanta and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

Here's some more ways to spend money...

Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:30:59 GMT

Just picked up my first Midieval Baebes CD (at Harmony House) last night- for only *five bucks*!!! Also swiped up a whole bunch of other great cds, all for three to five bucks each! ::does happy dance of doom::

Website of interest...

Mon, 17 Mar 2003 17:01:32 GMT

To print and distribute...

(actually, this is a form in pdf format- the website addy that I swiped it from is clickyclickhereifyou'recurious...)

This just arrived in my email:

Sat, 15 Mar 2003 19:51:35 GMT

French Products and Companies to Boycott

The following companies are subject to boycott:
* Air France. Air Liquide. Airbus. Alcatel. Allegra (allergy
medication). Aqualung (including: Spirotechnique, Technisub,
US Divers, and SeaQuest). AXA Advisors
* Bank of the West (owned by BNP Paribas). Beneteau (boats).
BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin). BIC (razors, pens and lighters).
Biotherm (cosmetics). Black Bush. Bollinger (champagne).
* Car & Driver Magazine. Cartier. Chanel. Chivas Regal (scotch).
Christian Dior. Club Med (vacations). Culligan (owned by Vivendi).
* Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods). DKNY. Dom Perignon.
Durand Crystal
* Elle Magazine. Essilor Optical Products. Evian.
* Fina gas stations and Fina Oil (billions invested in
Iraqi oil fields). First Hawaiian Bank.
* George Magazine. Givenchy. Glenlivet (scotch).
* Hennessy. Houghton Mifflin (books). Jacobs Creek (owned by
Pernod Ricard since 1989). Jameson (whiskey).
Jerry Springer (talk show)
* Krups (coffee and cappuccino makers).
* Lancome. Le Creuset (cookware). L'Oreal (health and beauty
products). Louis Vuitton.
* Marie Claire. Martel Cognac. Maybelline. Méphisto (shoes
and clothes). Michelin (tires and auto parts). Mikasa (crystal
and glass). Moet (champagne). Motel 6. Motown Records. MP3.com.
Mumms (champagne).
* Nissan (cars; majority owned by Renault). Nivea.
Normany Butter.
* Parents Magazine. Peugeot (automobiles). Pierre Cardin.
Playstation Magazine. ProScan (owned by Thomson Electronics,
France). Publicis Group (including Saatchi & Saatchi
Advertising).
* RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics).
Red Magazine. Red Roof Inns (owned by Accor group in France).
Renault (automobiles). Road & Track Magazine. Roquefort cheese
(all Roquefort cheese is made in France). Rowenta (toasters,
irons, coffee makers, etc.). Royal Canadian.
* Salomon (skis). Sierra Software and Computer Games. Smart &
Final. Sofitel (hotels, owned by Accor). Sparkletts (water,
owned by Danone). Spencer Gifts. Sundance Channel.
* Taylor Made (golf). Technicolor. T-Fal (kitchenware). Total
gas stations.
* UbiSoft (computer games). Uniroyal. Universal Studios (music,
movies and amusement parks; owned by Vivendi-Universal). USFilter.
* Veritas Group. Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Vittel. Vivendi.
* Wild Turkey (bourbon). Woman's Day Magazine.
* Yoplait (The French company Sodiaal owns a 50 percent stake).
Yves Saint Laurent.
* Zodiac Inflatable Boats.

GREAT! So now I have a list of products that I will go out of my way TO purchase! There are a lot of businesses on this boycott list that I wouldn't normally patronize, but I will now make sure that I become a customer.
Oh, and of course (as a parting shot) the email boasted about the whole "Freedom Fries" stupidity. Heh.

I've figured out what began the decline of our 'civilization'...

Sat, 08 Mar 2003 21:30:45 GMT

...if you can call it that.
The catalyst (imo)? People are no longer versed in the art (or science?) of debate. They are either innocently ignorant or just deliberately ignorant. It prolly shouldn't surprise me, since it's just a symptom of our society's lack of interest in history/the past, and lack of interest in what defines a civilized society. It's no wonder we have become so polarized in this country, and have turned into some savage, angry, rabid mob, unwilling to listen to each other without taking personal offense and/or getting violent. "I may vehemently disagree with what you have to say, but I would defend to the death your right to say it". I forget who said that quote, but it defines pretty much how I feel about public debate. To me, that quote also defines what freedom of speech in this country should be all about. That means not taking personal offense because I disagree with your opinion, and that means not demonizing me, or anyone, because you disagree...
'Nuff said. I'm outta here for now...seeking some sense of sanity left in this f-ed up world.

Sun, 23 Feb 2003 13:55:49 GMT

No matter what your opinion of the proposed war with Iraq is, let's consider this:
If our (so-called) 'president' dislikes living in the White House so much, then perhaps he should MOVE the hell out?!
Contrary to popular belief, our nations capital is in Washington, DC- *not* Texas.

Article from todays Detroit News

Thu, 20 Feb 2003 21:55:02 GMT

http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0302/20/d01-89792.htm

I don't want to go off on some political rant or discussion, but this kind of stuff *really* peeves me. Some greedy jackass doesn't want to comply with the law. 'I might lose some money if I comply with the law'...Aw, poor baby. My heart bleeds for ya, pal- NOT! Gee- how 'bout if we allow builders to build apartments that won't allow black people in? (like a really loud siren that goes off when a black person goes near one of the doorways, perhaps? And how 'bout doors that won't open for a black person, even with a key?) That's tantamount to what this particular jerk is trying to do. The government should not only halt construction, but should also throw this dumbass in jail and fine him *heavily*, IMO.
::end of rant::

Hello!

Tue, 18 Feb 2003 20:59:21 GMT

...I just popped in to make some more changes to my "User Info" page. No time for much else right now. Mebbe later...

Thu, 25 Jul 2002 00:31:28 GMT

Wow- i have just spent so much time web surfing and commenting on other journals that hours seem like minutes! I just realized that the travel channel is having an Egypt theme week, and i just missed half of a great special on Egyptian religion and tombs...darnitol! Well, the company picnic was today, and not much else happened (no news is good news, as they say), so i suppose it's just as well. I just don't want to neglect this journal (as i sadly have neglected my other LJ account).

Mon, 22 Jul 2002 23:58:18 GMT

Actually, i probably should feel more melancholy than i do, considering the fact that it is raining furiously outside, and that i mainly did "busywork" today at my job (giving me busywork either becaus of not having enough work for us to do may= layoffs in the horizon, or that my boss doesn't think i can handle much more than that). Running to the car from the restaurant in an attempt to avoid the downpour actually felt invigorating...It seems that strangers suddenly feel a kinship with other people when everyone is making the mad dash to their cars in a storm, and the children seem only partially afraid, whilst also partially in awe of the storm...
As far as the job goes, i welcomed a break from the usual pressure for production quotas, and an opportunity to organize an office that had been sorely neglected by slobs for a long time (since before i worked in the department). I quite enjoyed being given free reign to organize things- it gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in seeing tangible results. I need to be able to do that at work more often. It's also good for me to get in the 'organization' mindset before i get home, so i can keep the momentum going when i arrive home. Living and working in chaos has, to some degree, contributed to my depression.
I am less lonely than yesterday, but i sure do miss my puppy. I just have to hang in there til October for the new pup...
Time now to get off the 'puter and keep up that momentum. I still won't be 'whistling while i work', but i'll be enjoying the 'music'/ atmosphere of the thunderstorm which is occurring outside my window right now...

Sun, 21 Jul 2002 19:50:57 GMT

Okay, so now i've had this silly tune stuck in my head for two whole days...help!

http://b3ta.com/spidermanwillmakeyougay/

"What Type of Goth Are You?" (quiz/survey that was sent to me)

Sat, 20 Jul 2002 16:17:19 GMT

http://www.angelfire.com/goth/angelofdeth/test.html

(I'm a "Romantygoth"! Yay!..But i prolly knew that already, anyway)

Tue, 09 Jul 2002 01:50:26 GMT

"Maya"

Our hearts are torn
from the day we're born
and attachments form
which cannot last
no thing stays the same
no one is to blame
we are prisoners
of the past
The tempestuous
seas of ignorance
and the howling winds
of fate the duality
of the things we see
as we're tossed between
love and hate
maya...
These illusions scream
"this is not a dream!"
and it truly seems
to be so
though this shadowplay
may be here today
when tomorrow comes
it will go
Is there clarity?
Hope and charity?
Will the truth be known
to us all?
Is there no relief
from this misbelief?
Are we paying still
for the Fall?
Maya...
What reality is our destiny?
Will we ever be what we're
meant to be?
Must we suffer from this
insanity temporarily
or for eternity?
Aaaaah! Maya...
We are manifest of a
life that is blessed
We are rays of light
from the sun
We are waves upon
a living ocean
We are one with all
We are one
We are one...
om mani padme hum...

(lyrics written by Thomas-Carlysle Ayres)

Why would an art lover rarely buy artwork?...

Tue, 09 Jul 2002 01:25:19 GMT

Well, as an HGTV junkie, i had time to indulge my addiction over the long holiday weekend. I particularly *love* the craft programs (and the decorating programs). Love checking out all those nifty craft ideas (and decorating ideas) that i'll never have time to try, much less translate into something gothy :). Actually, it's *disturbing* how domesticated i have become since being married...but i digress...The crafting shows frequently feature artisans, and i began pondering why, as a supporter of the arts, don't i have other artists creations collected and displayed in my home. The only answer i came up with is the fact that i pretty much refuse to buy anything which i feel i am capable of creating for myself- which i realize is *quite silly*, since i will prolly never be able to devote that much time to creating artistic projects, even if i was capable. Mebbe hubby's Scottish (frugal) side is rubbing off on me? :). Or, mebbe there's way too much insipid crapola being passed off as "art"- particularly in the mainstream (ex: at many galleries, which are basically run on the buddy system...or at least a guild system)? And much of the insipid crapola is accompanied by *huge* pricetags... I think the latter reason is the most likely explanation. This isn't to say i never buy other artist's works of art- I certainly have purchased works in the past that really strike a chord with me, and art that is functional as well as beautiful, and art that i have absolutely *no* talent for (ceramics, metal work, wood work,...the list of things that i have no talent for is rather *large* :) heh). I wish i could afford to have more historic works of art around me. I do the best i can, but the most i can afford are (rather cheapie) reproductions...Ah, well...i think i'm suffering from hgtv withdrawal already....must..get..back..to...my...tellie...now... :)