verbingnouns

You've Been Warned

I usually try not to go all "banker" on my blog, but I know most bank customers don't read the disclosures in their statements (I never even open my statements), so I thought I give a little Public Service Announcement: don't write any checks if you don't have enough money in your account to cover them. The days where you can a write a check a few days before payday are coming to a swift end.
Check 21, a new system for clearing checks goes into effect today. Basically, it works like this: in the past, the actual physical checks had to be sent from bank to bank in order to be collected. With Check 21, electronic images are a valid replacement for the physical checks. So checks can now clear as fast as debit card transactions. All banks are participating in this - it's mandatory, not optional. It might not be as quick as it could be at first, but I expect that within a year, checks will clear within one day or even a few hours - local or not. This has been your warning from your friendly blogging banker.
You may now resume your regular activity.

I Can Quit Any Time I Want To

Last year, I blogged about my obsession with all things new and improved. I've fallen for it again. I couldn't stop myself from buying Crest's new Refreshing Vanilla Mint Toothpaste (as seen on The Apprentice). It seems like a nice idea. I like Vanilla. I like Mint. Actually, the toothpaste tastes pretty good, if you like brushing your teeth with your dessert. Instead of that "fresh from the dentist clean" feeling, it's more of a "fresh from the candy shop" feeling. This must be what British people brush with. Hear me now and believe me later, it's not a worthy replacement of goold old-fashioned minty toothpaste. Save your three bucks. Purchase your regular toothpaste and rest in peace knowing you've made a wise decision.
I'll learn eventually.

The Winning Streak

I won. Again. I'm making up for all the years of my life that I never won anything. So now, in addition to my new digital camera that I won last month, I'm the proud winner of a portable DVD player. Cool, eh? So the question is: do I keep the portable DVD player (which, while it's cool to have, I don't know how much actual use I'll get out of it) or do I sell it on Ebay?
I think I should go buy a lottery ticket now.

Another Obnoxious Meme That I Can't Resist

With your 50 %: You are JO MARCH from "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. You're an independent woman who lives by her own rules and not society's. You're fiercely devoted to the people you love, particularly your parents and siblings.

But you have almost become this:
With your 40 %: You are EMMA WOODHOUSE, from "Emma" by Jane Austen. You're fun-loving, carefree and maybe just a little bit spoiled. You may screw up every once in a while, but your intentions are always the best. Despite the shallow facade, you're a deep person with a big heart.

And that you are not at all:
With your 10 %: You are ISABEL ARCHER from "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James. You've spent so much time trying to fit into what you think you should be, that you've neglected the person you ARE. You're vaguely dissatisfied with your life and trying to hide it. Drop the mask and break free!

With your 0 %: You're JANE EYRE from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. All you want is to be loved, and once you've given your heart to someone, you're devoted. You're your own person, too, though, and you stick by what you believe no matter what.

Test yourself here.

Entry #451

::It turns out free time isn't really free. Any so-called free time I've had lately basically means "time I should be sleeping, but I'm doing something else instead."::

::As crazy as it seems, sometimes a hug is enough to make your problems go away (at least for a few minutes, and sometimes that's enough.)::

::It is the last week of my Economics class and I couldn't be happier. I also have only 2 weeks of Money and Banking left. Not that the classes are that big of a burden, but it will be nice to have a bit of a break from them.::

::Is fall weather ever going to get here? I guess last Friday's chill was just a tease. It was already hot at 6 this morning.::

::Courtney Love is my anti-drug.::

Monday Poll

Here at verbingnouns, we like to keep in touch with public opinion. So here's the question:

Panchos: Hot or Not?

I have to say I like some of them. (In fact, I have one.) But I read this article and I can't say I entirely disagree. What do you think?

What Critter Can Infest My House Yet Not Really Bother Me?

If you guessed "clear lizards," you are correct.

It's the second cutest infestation ever.

Get a Move On

As you may have noticed my new web addres is at monroeblogs, rather than chattablogs. I've got to say, I'm going to miss chattablogs. I've really enjoyed being a part of it for the last 16 months or so. I think we'll have a good thing going over at Monroe bogs if more of you Monroe bloggers will move on over. I'm talking about you Jon and Hollie, Rachel, Rick and Rachel, Callie, et al. (That includes all of you Rustonians, too.) Anyway, Aaron, Josh, Jessie and I have already moved. Please update your links. Thanks to Josiah and Hugo for making it all happen.

I was going to tell you Happy Lief Ericson Day, as I thought today was the day, but it turns out it was last Sunday. Oh well. Orga Borga Inge Dorga, as we say.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

I went to the site of one of our local hospitals because I was wondering if a friend of mine had her baby yet. Turns out she hasn't (as far as I can tell), but I found something else. I started looking through the names of babies that had been born and wasn't able to look away. Many of the names are normal: lots of classic Elizabeths and Michaels, lots of more modern Chandlers, Madisons, Addisons, and Michaelas. Then you have the "one-of-a-kinds." I just had to list a few a the gems:

Jacob Alexander Keirnan Obi-Wan
MiSi Ma'lik
DeVante LeIsaac Dan'Shaun
Tooba Fatima
Gur'Derrious Demarzel
Dyi'Amond DeJaunaii
Mar'ckylin De'Qunn
Crystal Raine
Robertnaizshiah D'gail Renee
Journei Kam'Breiana
Ariadne Tamar
Kyara Da'Shaye & Kyera Ta'Shaye
Destynd Dermon O'Sha

Wow.

Reunion

Heidi, me, Miss Chris, Annie, and Oriel

When Bad Things Happen to Sick People

I've spent the last few days in a Comtrex-induced haze. It's really too bad, since I've attended some fun events, but I've been too zoned out to really notice. I've decided that no matter how bad my head hurts, I can't go on functioning in a blur. The blank stare is over-rated.

Head-cold Haiku

Put the Comtrex down
and step away slowly
Please pass the coffee

(I wrote that as a regular sentence first, but then I realized it was almost a haiku. Brilliant, eh? Yeah, it's the meds talking.)