Grey Friday

1. Congratulations to Deirdre, an old college friend and frequent trench visitor, who got married yesterday! Best of luck to you and your husband as you embark upon a new phase in your lives. Thanks so much for reading.    


2. I had so much food yesterday, I don't need to eat anything except egg whites and celery for the next month. Which works out perfectly, as Christmas dinner is exactly 30 days away. Mind, I'm not saying I WILL eat only egg whites and celery, simply that this is all I need to eat...  


3. I'm not shopping in brick-and-mortar stores today. I'm not sure I'll spend any money at all. Except perhaps to get a pedicure. And that doesn't count. 


4. For those of you who've lived in The Great State of Oklahoma for any length of time, you know as well as I do that the holiday season doesn't really begin until when......?  


That's right. 


Until you hear and/or see the BC Clark commercial.  


For all you (two) non-local readers of my blog, BC Clark is a jewelry store in Oklahoma City. They're Oklahoma's oldest jeweler. Since 1892. Most sales are after Christmas, but their's is just before.


Etc. 


Anyway, the jingle is older than I am by several years; it hit the airwaves for the first time in 1956. 


They've never changed it. Which I find comforting and endearing. I'm sure most Oklahomans feel the same way. It's quaint and cheerful and whimsical and it always makes me smile when I hear it for the first time each holiday season. 


Here's my problem: I don't watch live TV anymore. When I'm in the car, I'm either listening to NPR or my boyfriend podcasts. Neither of which air OKC commercials. 


Meaning this time of year, unless I take action I don't get the hear the jingle! 


And I'm not kidding. It's not Christmas time until I hear it. 


Because I'm so neurotic, I feel as if I'm cheating if I go to Youtube or click the inevitable Facebook links and view the commercial that way. So for the past few years I've had to pursue it. 


Like a stalker.  


I'm forced to listen to local radio stations in my car and forced to watch TV until I hear the sleigh bells in the wild. It can be burdensome and sometimes it days before I hear it organically. Which just pisses me off and defeats the whole purpose of the exercise.  


Say you: Seriously? You can't just go to Youtube....


Say me: NO! I cannot. I'm telling you, it's not the same. 


So. You can go ahead and be a cheater if you want.  Me?  I'm listening to The Spy until The Clarks serenade me.  


Song(s) of the week:





Added bonus, another favorite from my childhood: 




Oh, OK, one more.  Since I'm being all non-corporate, stick-it-to-the-man, I'm-SO-not-shopping-today-because-I-refuse-to-be-sucked-in-by-marketers: 

Windmills for Your Viewing Pleasure

I took this photo in Mykonos, Greece back in June.  I entered it into a photo show and low and behold!  Success!  It will be matted, framed and on display in the Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City for about a month.  


As I've been promising, a NEW photo project is in queue so stay tuned!  -> 

Related articles

• Home of the pelicans! - Mykonos Town, Greece (travelpod.com)
• The Beautiful People - Mykonos, Greece (travelpod.com)

And So it Ends....

I'm ending this year's project where I began.  At the building that used to be Ace Hardware on Main Street in Norman, Oklahoma. It was a Friday.  


August 19, 2011:  

August 20, 2010: 

I took my first picture pretty much on a whim--about five minutes after I decided I would take a picture every day for a year.  


Now that it's come to a close, I've been reflecting.  


Here are some numbers and some thoughts:


1) I recklessly threw out that I would  do a Hummer scavenger hunt this year.  That never happened. 
2) I did, however, label 23 pictures "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" (see the cloud in the right column under the heading "My Blatherings" and click the label to view all the pictures)
3) "Brands" was the most popular label, with 86 pictures being labeled as such (for the record, most pictures had more than one label) 
4) The second most popular label was "Cheap Crap Made in China", with 65 photos carrying that label.  
5) I know for a fact that you can point to any picture I took this past year and I can tell you where I was when I snapped the shot. I cannot guarantee that fact will remain a year from now. I'm not getting any younger. 
6) I cannot tell a lie.  In 365 days, there were two where I forgot to take a picture and had to use one from a previous day.  This day was one of them.  I honestly can't remember when the other one was, but I know it was in February or March.  I think.  
7) Someone asked me about 2/3 of the way through what my favorite picture was so far.  At the time I said this one.  But I like this one too.  And this one.  And this one.  Oh, and this one.   The Boy likes this one. 
8) I maintain this was the worst picture I took all year.  
9)  October 8, 2010 gas was $2.58/G.  On January 22, 2011 gas was $2.92/G.  Today I paid $3.29/G. (All prices listed were in Norman, Oklahoma)
10) Yes. There actually was at least one shot that I meant to get and never did.  Ironically, it's walking distance from the house.  

I'm taking a break from taking pictures, but I'll be back soon!  As I've stated, I have a new project on tap, although due to recent equipment issues (which I'll explain later) I might have to put it off a bit.  Rest assured my ranting will not stop.  -> 

Dell

We have a Dell plant in Oklahoma City.  I've always wondered what they do there. Without checking The Googles, I'm going go to assume it's a call center.  I just drove by it today, in fact. Stand by while I check to see if I'm correct...


BINGO!  


Although Dell calls it a "Customer Contact Center".  Which makes the job all the more appealing, I'm sure.  -> 

regret

ink Flamingo

He's a sinister looking bastard, isn't he? No matter. Should you ever visit Ft. Smith, Arkansas--and who wouldn't--then you need to eat at Pink Flamingo BBQ. Firstly, because this guy will come and find you and hurt you if you don't. Secondly, because the place is called "Pink Flamingo BBQ". And thirdly, because it is frickin' awesome. I don't normally care that much about bar-b-que, so trust me when I tell you this place is worth it. Plus they had some really good desserts that a little old lady comes in and prepares for them. That should seal the deal. ->


-Posted using (enter requisite phrase which brags about your cool gadgets and applications for said gadget here)

Authentic

Mmmmmm.......-> 

Alden

Kinda abstract, I know, but I love it. It's the sign hanging in front of a cleaners close to my house. I've been telling myself since I started the project that I should get a picture of it. Tonight I finally took the time to do so. ->

Thunde

So. Oklahoma City found themselves the recipient of a professional sports team two or three years a go. We inherited the Seattle Blackhawks? Falcons? Tigers? I dunno. Some NBA team that was in Seattle. They were going broke there, I guess, and moved here.

Our city really likes them. And apparently we're pretty good. Not that I would know, I've never been to a game. But I hear they're fun, so I guess I should go check them out at some point. Frankly, though, I don't have to try too hard to know what's going on with them. Facebook posts always tell me the following: When there's a game about the start (you see a lot of "THUNDER UP" at this point. I guess this is our cheer?), how the team is doing (read: status updates about missed shots, bad calls, etc) and whether they won or lost. It's perfect really. Except I still don't know any of the players' names. Or who the coach is. Or what playoff's we're in.

But I do know this: We want Ellen to be our Thunder Girl. To date she hasn't made an appearance here. presumably, though, it's only a matter of time. ->

Nom

  

I'm not one to throw out raving reviews of food and restaurants willy nilly.  I would like to think that I have a trained palette and discriminating tastes.  

Say you: A girl can dream. 

Say me: You digress. 

So, believe me when I tell you that pictured above is quite possibly the BEST chocolate malt I've ever had.  After running four miles today, I was completely entitled to scarfing some from The Boy.  We went here for lunch after our big finish.  Yes, he did the run too.  But seeing as he's only 16, he gets to eat 4 times the amount of calories for one day.  I, in my decrepit state however, am only allowed an extra 20.  So I only allowed myself a couple (read:  four) bites. It was heaven on a fork.  

Say you: Don't you mean "heaven on a spoon"?  

Say me: No.  I mean "heaven on a fork".  Because the malt was that thick.  Need I say more? -> 

Young's

Chocolate stout = NOM.  -> 

I Changed My Mind

 

I had another picture up, but five days later I've completely changed my mind. 


Say You: You can't do that! 
Say me: Can to!  MY blog.  MY project. Besides, I'm a girl.  We're entitled. 


I took this picture the same day and should have gone with it.  I was irritated because from this view you can't tell it's a van nor can you read the name of the restaurant. But so what? I Love the texture and I'm not providing free advertising for everyone.  (Like my 18 followers are going to have this huge impact on their bottom line.)   Plus it's better than the PAAS pic I had posted before.  Which was a disaster.  Why didn't any one tell me?  -> 

The Dine

 

The Diner.  Where one goes for pancakes, omelettes, the best chili ever, and pictures of armadillos on the wall.  -> 

ATM

 

Medieval* Fair this weekend in my town.  The Geek and I made a point of stopping at a convenience store for some cash before we arrived, but as we were parking I thought to myself: "I'm sure there will be ATMs set up there.  We probably didn't need to stop first." 

I was right.  I saw at least 4 of them scattered about.  Amazing, really, that they can just move those things in and out.  And who, by-the-way, profits from this little cottage industry (I mean, other than your bank.  Who profits for the sole reason of you keeping your money there. Because it cost them SO MUCH to have you withdraw your own money from a machine)?  Are they franchises?   

On another note, I hesitated to use yet another ATM shot, as that seems to be my go-to theme recently, but honestly I thought this was the best of the bunch. -> 

*It's taken me over 4 decades, but I can now spell "medieval" correctly without having to look it up.  

Fresh

There's this tiny, dive of a Greek restaurant by campus that is a Norman institution.  It's run by a Greek family, who's been operating the place for decades and they offer precisely four main items on the menu: pita bread, salad, fries, and gyro meat (of course they serve the tzatziki sauce). Various combinations of these items will net you a few choices for noms, but the gold standard is fries and a gyro (how do your pronounce that word, anyway?  Guy-ro? Hee-ro? Yee-ro?  Jie-ro?)  

I swear there would be rioting in the streets should that family ever sell the place and move home.  

Since I've lived close to campus for years, and since early morning campus walks regularly get shuffled in and out of my routine, I've witnessed countless times the big bag of onions waiting for them at the front door.  Today is Sunday.  They're closed on Sundays--always have been.  So do they just let the onions sit there until tomorrow?  I imagine they do.   I've always wondered who delivers them and whether this is a week's supply of onions or less or more?  I've never been privy to the actual onion delivery (that would be like catching Santa in the act) but have often wondered at what time, precisely, does it occur? 

Most of all, though, I love that the owners feel comfortable having such a system in place. ->

CT SS

Say me: I went to a rodeo tonight. 

Say you: Come again? 

Say me: I know, right?  

The pic above depicts a price tag on a saddle that was displayed and obviously for sale: 

For the full write-up, because you know I can't go to a rodeo without one, you can go here.  -> 

Fat Elvis Diner

Again.  I can't make this stuff up.  

We were on the road to go here and we saw this little gem in Yukon, Oklahoma.  Honestly, how on earth can you see a place named "Fat Elvis Diner" and NOT eat there?  

Think onion burgers.  Well, here.  You don't have to think.  I'll show you one.  The Fat Elvis Burger, to be precise: 

 

I'm quite certain it was a low-cal, low-fat, guilt free variety of double bacon cheese burger that The Geek consumed with vigor.  

And what Fat Elvis Diner would be complete without, you know, Elvis?  

He was quite the character.  Come to find out he's somewhat of a local celebrity.  Well, that may be all in his head, but he has a website and everything.   And to think I actually talked to him!  Wow!  -> 

$229

I've recently discovered this place, which is a farm store that is mostly in Oklahoma, but peppers a few other states too.  And God knows I'm such a farm girl, living in the middle of town where I'm equi-distance from two grocery stores (.7 miles, to be exact), require electronics to awaken me each morning as opposed to a rooster,  and the only critters on my land meow and bark, meaning that I'm responsible for feeding them and not the other way around.  

Still, this place is a gold mine for fodder of all sorts.  

Exhibit A: 

I was meandering in the shoe cowboy boot section and overheard a woman strike out on a pair of boots she was eyeing.  "Well, crabapples!",  she exclaimed in frustration.

Who can resist such literary utterances?  -> 

PS: I've owned exactly two pair of cowboy boots in my life. The first pair I got for Christmas when I was 13.  I remember they cost $80 at the time, about $189 in today's dollars.  The second pair was when I was about 22 and it was the look at the time.  

Aspe

  

So.  Day Three of Weather House Arrest.  Stir Crazy has officially set in and an outing, any kind of outing, was a must.  We went the library and then out for a high-class dinner at the Golden Corral.  

For those of you wondering, Oklahoma can't handle its snow.  We get one good storm a year and the hangover lasts for days, crippling the metro and stranding its citizens.  The storm blew in late Monday night and it snowed until Tuesday afternoon.  The temperatures haven't been above freezing since, and because we don't have the equipment, manpower, or money on hand, all but the most major streets are left unplowed.  Meaning all the junk that's driven on during the day re-freezes at night, which makes for excellent commutes in the morning, what with the people who are too scared to drive over 10 miles per hour coupled with the idiots who think they can still drive normally. Thankfully the interstates are passable, but you have to get to them first. Plus the interstate is hardly helpful for those rural folks who just need to get to the grocery store.  I have a friend who hasn't been able to get off her street since the storm.  

The schools are closed again tomorrow. The decision to close the schools is based on whether the school buses can make it to ALL destinations.  Since rural routes are never plowed, and therefore school buses can't safely make it out in the boonies, the entire system gets shut down essentially until it gets warm enough to melt.  Sometimes it's literally the next day, which is what happened in January.  This time?  Well....there's more snow in the forecast.  The kids will be going to school until August. 

Say you: Couldn't people just take the bus or the train to school, work, where ever? 

Say me: This is OKLAHOMA, where Car (Truck, really) is King.  Mass transit?  You're cute.  ->

Mort

Snowcolypse. 

Snowzilla. 

Snowatopia. 

The Great Whiteout of 2011.

Whatever you want to call it, we're still in it.  Day two of being stuck in the house--I literally have not left my abode in almost 48 hours. 

All the animals here, the ones with two and four legs, are going stir crazy.  I've managed to watch the entire LOTR trilogy--extended versions one and all.  I've also managed to get halfway through a book that's not so great.  I've cleaned the kitchen several times and done laundry. And well....that's about it.   (I did manage to get a workout in today, though. By myself, to be sure, so it was boring. But it got done.) 

No school again for the kids tomorrow, and since the temperatures won't get above freezing then either, I highly doubt they'll go on Friday either.  


I wish I had know this was coming.  I would have planned a vacation.  

In the meantime, here I sit.  Tethered to my phone for The Man until 8 in the morning and twiddling my opposable thumbs.  

It's a glorious life I lead.  ->