The Journal of Liz

Last Ditch Effort: Advisory Board

Wed, 14 May 2008 02:16:31 GMT

I have 74 votes (thank you!) but I need 100 to continue on with the LJ Advisory Board election process.

If you wouldn't mind having me on the LJ Advisory Board, please follow this link and reply with "I support this nomination": http://community.livejournal.com/lj_election_en/6181.html

If you can help me out by posting the following in your journal, I'd be more than grateful!

Please vote for lizvang for the LJ Advisory Board!
http://community.livejournal.com/lj_election_en/6181.html

Bug Begone

Tue, 13 May 2008 23:10:41 GMT

I woke up feeling pretty sick yesterday. I made it through a day of work with only having to run to the bathroom a couple of times (false alarms). Right after dinner (I felt a bit better by then) I decided to go to bed and woke up 13 hours later. Haven’t done that in awhile!

I feel much better today and wonder if it was something I ate or the rank vodka I was drinking the night before. I didn’t feel like I had a hangover and I usually don’t on that amount of alcohol so it must have been a combination of the vodka and bad meat or a 24-hour stomach bug.

I hate feeling nauseous. To me it’s the worst feeling in the world. I think I’d rather have a side splitting headache.

Survivor: Fans vs. Favourites Finale

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:11:40 GMT

The WRONG person won Survivor tonight. Grr.
How cute is Ozzy and the Amanda love? I could have melted. /sigh

Village Drama

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:07:06 GMT

Seems like our small little village of Grand Valley is having some action today.

When I woke up, Dad told me there was the tactical squad in the grocery store parking lot, road closed off, cops all over the place. So naturally I grabbed my camera and went for a quick drive into town.

I saw it all but I was the only one gawking so I didn’t dare take any photos.

Apparently just in the last half hour, they had got a guy on the ground and guns on him but there’s still someone missing they want. There’s absolutely no information about this and everything is speculation. First it was a bomb, now it’s apparently a paedophile.

I’m sure the town will be in gossip mode for the next week.

Update @ 11:50: Now apparently it was a domestic. Woman kicked boyfriend or husband out, he freaked, guess there was a gun, some other guy is involved as well. Who knows. Not nearly as exciting as a possible bomb though (granted no one getting hurt).

Alphabeat - Fascination

Thu, 08 May 2008 05:06:00 GMT

Because I’m totally obsessed with the Mashup I presented to you earlier, I checked out Alphabeat’s album and present you the original version of Fascination that was mashed-up with The Futureheads.

Tell me you’re not dancing right now.

We love this exaltation
We want the new temptations
It’s like a revelation
We live on fascination…

Dunproofin’ - Alphaboot

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:38:39 GMT

“The Futureheads”, a British indie-rock band meets up with the Danish pop band “Alphabeat”. And this tune is the perfect soundtrack for summer…put out your sunglasses and have some fun! - Mashuptown.com

LJ Advisory Board Nominee

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:05:45 GMT

I have decided to nominate myself for the LJ Advisory board.

If you wouldn't mind having me on the advisory board, please follow this link and reply with "I support this nomination": http://community.livejournal.com/lj_election_en/6181.html

Spread the word if you can as I will need 100 votes to proceed after nominations.

Thanks in advance!

May the 4th be with you…

Sun, 04 May 2008 20:57:06 GMT

Beltane & Scotland

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:05:35 GMT

Today is Beltane. I remember a year ago yesterday I was living in Edinburgh and working during the Beltane Fire Festival in the bar. I remember straining with all my might to make out the fireworks from the front of the pub. I wish I had experienced that night on Carlton Hill but then again, the locals know that it’s not the same as it was years ago so I wasn’t that miffed about missing it.

I also moved into the flat with Suzy a year ago this week. Best flatmate, ever.

This post is somewhat pointless but I do miss living in Scotland and the muppets I call friends. I hope to go back soon to visit.

Family Tree Maker & PHPGedView

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:44:14 GMT

Been updating family tree stuff with some information a couple of distant relatives have sent me after finding me online. Kinda neat. I still have relatives in Ireland and Scotland, Australia and the kicker? Bryan McCabe is my 5th cousin or some shit. Same with Henry Ford. Interesting. Maybe that info will get me into a Leaf's game for free next season. :)

Anywhoozle, if any of you are bored and wanna browse my tree:
http://www.lizvang.com/phpgedview

I haven't finished it as I have a ton of new information to get to that I was just sent from the McIlhargey side of the family and I mean a gazillion names to go through. /sigh

Happy Birthday sickboy!!!

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:30:22 GMT

Happy 37th sickboy! Man you're old.

Click photo for set of 8 on Flickr

More than meets the eye…

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:18:27 GMT

You know what’s awesome? Waking up to dogs barking, the carbon monoxide detector freaking out and my Mum hovering over me asking to borrow my mobile phone at 7 o’clock this morning.

Nothing really to call home about (or blog about I suppose) but we were experiencing brown outs and certain things would work like the kitchen television, the phone (eventually), the wireless router (but not the modem) and certain electrical was only at half power like the fridge, microwave clock and the ceiling light and fan to name a few.

The electrical company’s phone was busy (good sign that it’s not just you, we’re a bit rural you see) and then the whole house powered down.

Now, I work from home so I was a bit concerned that I would actually have to get dressed and leave the house to work (poor me, I know) but the power came back on, fully, and all was well with the world once again. Finally, I got through to the electrical company who said they were having transformer issues.

I don’t work until 11 o’clock so I’m debating on going back to bed or…there really is no “or” today. Hooray!

Happy Birthday to Blue!

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:31:42 GMT

For billijean's birthday, you know what I got her?
It's like the best gift, ever.
Ready for it?
Really, I tell ya, it's amazing.

A play-by-play, as it happened, audio of my brother's dog vomitting on my floor and my bed.

She'll remember it forever I'm sure.
I'm a great friend.

Happy Birthday to my Five Forehead Twin!
xoxo

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:02:33 GMT

Fuck American Idol.
I'm not watching any more.

Suburban Green Is People

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:40:05 GMT

New “green” weblog by one of my very good friends, Billi Jean. She’s a hard-working green Mum, already doing a fantastic job of raising her two children and not living a “normal” consumer hungry life.

Information about which “green” habits really work for families and actually make a positive difference for the environment is scattered, misleading, polluted by advertising and, frankly, trite.

Suburban Green is People is the hopeful and empowered alternative. With good information and a mindful approach, being the solution doesn’t have to be confusing or horrible.

http://suburbangreenispeople.com/blog/

Swim Champ

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:52:06 GMT

Nine Inch Conchords

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:10:28 GMT

This little musical gem is for all my Flight of the Conchords lovin' friends.

Nine Inch Conchords - Closer to Business Time

Have a fantabulous day!

A Day in the Life of Tech Support

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:00:14 GMT

The following video is what it’s like answering the phones from customers.

You can skip through until about 1:40 into the video, but watch the whole thing if you’d like as it’s a funny Saturday Night Live sketch, not so funny though when you are on the receiving end of it.

Reacquainted with the Past

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:12:13 GMT

On Thursday, last week, I ran across some old phone numbers I had filed away. One number in particular I was most interested in as it was the number of my oldest friend since childhood.

Jackie and her sister Rachel lived across the street from my sister and I growing up. They moved away only a few short years after my parents moved in but we kept in close contact up until around 1993. Mum babysat Jackie and Rachel those few years and every holiday they were either up at our place after they moved away or we were down at there’s in Milton. March Breaks were especially memorable at their place.

Any way, we lost touch then saw each other again back in 1999 I believe. Then in 2002 she tracked me down through my folks and caught up on the phone but lost contact until this weekend.

I had called her (same number for the WIN!) and she invited me down on Saturday. A few hour visit turned into a two-day visit as we were having too much fun catching up. We even went to her Nanny’s birthday Saturday afternoon and I got to surprise Rachel.

Jackie insisted on seeing Mum so I called Mum and told her to expect some company for dinner Sunday night. Jackie, her husband and their two (adorable) ~~monkeys~~ boys followed me home. It was a great reunion as all of us have so many memories of each other.

I’m hoping that now we’re relatively adults, we can keep in touch properly. I’m elated to have reconnected with the girls.

A Sorry Name for an Angel…

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:20:37 GMT

Honestly the creepiest shit I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of creepy shit in my life as a lover of horror and gore movies but this takes the cake. I’m sure I’ve seen this before when I was younger and it’s not a wonder why I’m not religious despite my highly religious upbringing.

Gah, I have shivers all up my back from even writing this blog entry it creeps me out so much. Enjoy, I guess. /shudder

The 80’s!

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:41:34 GMT

Click the photo for a Flickr photoset!

I can’t live without these tunes!

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:16:13 GMT

Say you were being exiled to a deserted island (somedays, I wish!) and you were only allowed to take three albums with you plus one album you can make yourself with ten tracks of your favourite, I can’t be truly happy without them, tunes.

What would your three albums be and what ten tracks would be on your “mix tape”?

And yes, the one exiling you is throwing in a discman/mp3 player because he/she is not all that bad! Oh, guess he or she is giving you ample batteries to last your lifetime as well and I suppose a couple of extra headsets just in case yours fall into the water or gets stolen by a sea turtle.

Enemy Number One

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:46:38 GMT

My Mum’s dog, Babe, is a protective dog. She’s got a huge attitude problem as she wasn’t trained very well (nor was her master, sorry Mum) but for the most part she’s a good dog despite the fact that she thinks hot shit around here.

This morning, like every other morning, I woke up, went to the bathroom and on my way back to my room, I noticed my parent’s remote control in the hallway next to the puppy, Jack, a bit chewed up. So I picked it up and walked into my Mum’s room. She was awake but still in bed and the dog didn’t look to happy with me being in there. See, if Mum is in the room and you walk in, she gets protective and growly and on your way out, will bark at you like a rabid dog.

So, I’m in there, chatting with my Mum beside her bed, the dog standing guard beside her and as I was trying to put the battery cover back on the remote the dog just lunged for my right arm and bit down. When I screamed, she let go and went back beside my Mum. Everything happened really fast and I think Mum was a bit shocked as she didn’t react except to say to run cold water over the bite area and I went downstairs, wailing.

I think I was (am) crying more for the fact that I don’t understand why Babe would do what she did, considering she knows me but then again, she’s a total doucherocket to my brothers too. I can’t believe my feelings are hurt because of an animal! Who do I think I am? Snow White?

My Mum feels really horrible. Horrible enough to suggest putting the dog down (wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to put down a dog for biting). I told her absolutely not and it’s not the dog’s fault, it’s her training and maybe we should take the dog back to the trainer. She says it would be useless as you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I beg to differ.

My Tylenol 1’s are starting to kick in and I’m getting a bit spacey.

New Layout, Finally…

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:15:39 GMT

After months of procrastinating, I finally sat down and redesigned my website. Not like I had to do much, apart from downloading a new template and tweaking the hell out of it.

Apart from some lame XHTML problems, I’m quite pleased with it.

The Mp3 player has 5 tracks, have a listen!

Firefox browser people...

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:33:14 GMT

Just all of a sudden my Flickr badge on my site is gone.

Works fine in IE but in Firefox...nadda.

Can you check in YOUR Firefox browser?
http://lizvang.com/

It's driving me nuts!

Thanks.

Edit: My RickRoll spree has ended. Who knew it would envoke so much animosity?