Carol Rutz’s Annexe

Between the merchandising work and posting snarky “trololo” pics on Facebook, it is a rare thing to maintain the blog. But I am so glad to find time now.

The Christmas spirit is strong throughout the 15+ stores I visit in Indiana and Ohio. Everyday, I get to listen to holiday songs. Right now, I do not mind the piped-in music as I tolerate that better than the usual soft-rock/easy listening crap I hear the other 10.5 months of the year. The gifts for sale are proudly displayed on the shelves, waiting for some guy seeking something practical.

Me? I seek also the impractical and the impossible. I have already purchased work clothes that conforms to the dress code I must follow. I’ve braved the Black Friday queue at Best Buy so I can replace my aging netbook. And the Prediger is going to buy me the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary eyeshadow set. But those impossible dreams remain. And they involve people I won’t be able to see again.

I want to let them know that I am doing okay with my life. I enjoy my job, I’ve figured out how to manage my manifestions of Asperger’s Syndrome, and most of all, I found the love of my life.

An example: The presidential races and church/state issues reminded me of my history professor, a Confessional and a pro-life Democrat. He was happy that I do not subscribe to the Evangelical/Calvinist Religious Right, but was chagrined when I became Libertarian. If he was alive today, I want to ask about his stance on same-sex marriage. How would he, a devout virtuous guy, come to his conclusions? I do know that he would want me to review past Supreme Court cases and urge me to consult the Bill of Rights. He would also advise me to read Scripture.

Another person: My sixth grade teacher, a devout Catholic. She would be thrilled to see me again doing decently. That would bolster my faith greatly! I doubt my elementary school (now a charter school) still has the means to contact her.

I do believe in the Creeds, about the communion of the saints and all that. They might have some clue about how I am faring and probably are praying for me. But I really want to see them in the flesh and be sure that they got the message. I know, impossible. And no amount of tangible gifts can change that.

I finally figured out how to get rid of that European spam for cheapo V|@gr@; however it meant that you cannot comment on older posts anymore. After 14 days of posting, comments will close.

Now, for the rest:

With the help of with my employment specialist from the regional Easter Seals, I’m working for one of the largest merchandising firms in North America. She’d call me once a month to check up on my work and this week she will see me work in nearby Auburn. Do you know how liberating for me to be honest with myself, not worrying about “pretending to be normal?” My bosses are aware…they simply care that I do my job right, which I’ve been doing since I was hired. I’m looking forward to telling her that I’ve been receiving bonuses for 95%+ completion, plus a bonus for pulling off one memorable sale involving using Google Translate on my Droid.

From the “You Nostalgia, You Lose” department: I came across an Avon catalog and they have scratch n sniff pages. I found one for Odyssey perfume and it was exactly like I remembered. I looked at the products and wondered whether it would be better to try out their products. The impetus was when I looked at MAC’s Big Bounce Eyeshadows and tested one at the counter. After two hours, it creased on me. I thought it was sub-par for the price listed. I thought: maybe I should try products from a company that has been there for years and do not have to pay for the overhead. So I signed up and I’m now the Avon Lady. If you live in the Fort Wayne/New Haven area, I’m more than happy to help you look good!

I’ve been more at Twitter and Facebook than this blog. For some reason, I’m more comfortable with being a twit and posting up FB updates than anything else. I’m going to ask Necessary Roughness which plug-in could post up a digest of my Twitter updates.

Census work? I’m done, unless the LCO informs me otherwise. Did not want to get in deep doo-doo and have the Bureau give me the banhammer. I did have a great time, with occasional hiccups IRT some one-celled beings. Best person I’ve met was actually an older lady at this trailer park. Will have to bring her some farm fresh veggies, as she grows green peppers.

Just think… I’ve been through three phases (GQE, NRFU, and NRFU-VDC). It helped pay for my car repairs, bills, and best of all, my trip to OSCON. I learned about the resources available for people in need in Fort Wayne. I saw the increase of foreclosures as I walked around New Haven. I’ve listened to the stories of a few neighbors whose children were grown-up and wished they can pay a visit. I saw, for better or for worse, the anti-government sentiment. I have to tell them that we’ve been doing this since 1790, with far worse intrusive questions than today.

Been reading two strictly unofficial blogs, My Two Census and LooseFemme, who has finished her NRFU gig and is now an union organiser in Oakland.

I was giddy when Matt Harrison got the nod for Synodical President. I hooked up my lappy to the telly so Preggie can watch the convention. He was excited that he can enjoy it without travelling to Houston. If we were to attend the convention, we’d be sitting in the back of the hall, watching it from a screen because GK and MH would be specks from our vantage point.

Here I am, back into the jobless limbo. I have a few new O’Reilly books from OSCON. It means between now and “you’re hired” I will have to earn a few bux doing odd jobs. I am thinking of getting a 30 watt soldering iron and practice using it. On the bright side, I succeeded in fixing my Ubuntu part of the laptop. The battery level would warn me that I have FOUR MINUTES until hibernation, despite having a full charge. Glad the updates are there.

It has been a while since I’ve posted something. I’m still alive and well, posting update at Facebook and shooting the breeze at Fark.

Part of my absence is job-hunting, looking for gigs and full-time work. Still searching, though I’ve got temp work at the end of March.

Another reason is more medical. No, it’s not cancer nor some serious stuff like heart disease or something exotic that the Mayo Clinic would analyze. Prior to February, I dread a certain time every month. (ACHTUNG: Womanly matters are mentioned.) The first few days, I cramped hard that I find myself confined to bed. After my time at Ivy Tech, I realized that these times will affect my job search and my career if I do not treat it. I asked my doctor about some options I have, and figured that some procedures will help me. After thoughtful consideration and theological consultation from my Prediger, I decided to undergo the Novasure ablation plus a tubal ligation. Actually, it was not a problem regarding the Novasure; it’s the finality of the ligation that I was concerned. Since pregnancy after the ablation is very dangerous to the woman, plus the complication will mean a definite peril to the child’s life, I said to myself: The Principle of Double Effect can be invoked. I prayed, I thought, and ultimately, I placed things in God’s hands.

I figured that this would be a short procedure, in the hospital by morning, out in the afternoon. It turned out to be a more serious matter. Bluntly, the doctor found two benign dermoid cysts, one in each ovary. One was so big that they removed my left ovary. The average size of an adult ovary is about the size of those green olives– 3cm by 1.5cm by 1.5cm. The left ovary was about 9cm by 8cm by 6cm, like a clenched fist. The right was saved, though they removed a sizable cyst. The doctor told the Prediger and my pastor that I would be in great pain later down the road if I have not been treated.

After recovery, my parents and my pastor visited me and I felt better than expected. The month came and went, without pain. It was the first time ever that I do not have such pain. I’m really looking forward to busy activities and job hunts without getting held back.

As for my sterility: I’ve made peace about it and knew that God has something in store, a role in life just for me. No kids of my own, but it is filled with days of devotion to my husband…lots of doggie kisses from “Teh Sarah”…tinkering around with Linux…and spending more time with the Church. Best of all, I’ll be the aunt who will spoil the niecelings and nephlings silly– and at the end of the day, return them to their parents. :)

So now, that’s my absence in under 500 words. Now it’s time to resume my antics.

Writing my draft for my upcoming post. I’m doing well, and so is the Prediger. Meanwhile, drop me a line at Facebook.

Before anything else: Prayers are requested for various people. First off, for Haiti. I probably said enough on Twitter, when I was very disgusted at Pat Robertson’s “pact with the devil” comment. My Twitter feed does have a link to legit charities. If you really want to repudiate the Theology of Glory jockeys, give freely…and give it in memory of Professor Kurt Marquart. Second, a friend of the Ohio LinuxFest needs help. Shawn Powers has lost his home and his pets due to fire. Blessedly, his wife and kids are okay. Various people are offering them shelter and the like. Right now, the family needs help getting back to some form of stasis (or “normality”). If you have a few bux, a chip-in is available.

Now…to the main course. Learned about how to pull off the smok(e)y eye, and realized that I needed make-up remover, especially after using the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. That stuff stays on good! After dinner, Wayne wanted me to procure some butter pecan ice cream. And I did, at WalMart. I was looking for makeup wipes when I found the Hard Candy section, replacing the Max Factor line. I did heard from Nouveau Cheap that WalMart will carry the brand, but I figured that it might only be available in select big cities like Los Angeles or New York.

A bit of nostalgia: I remember going to Bloomingdale’s in Sherman Oaks and seeing the colorful nail polish, each with a plastic ring. I prefer MAC or Urban Decay, so I passed on by. And now, it’s there where I don’t have to order stuff from out of town. Yes, the plastic rings are still on the nail polish. So, I bought two things: a lipstick and a liquid eyeliner. I’m wondering whether this stuff will hold up as good as the products at Bloomie’s.

The lipstick is a sheer matte dark purple called “Night Out” and the eyeliner is in Sugar Plum. Here are the makeup, against my skin and on my lips:

Lipstick is creamy and goes well, and I think the liner is decent but will require a second application to make a even line. Will try them on this week and write a review.

I’m completing my final class for my AAS, a Security+ class. Was going to take a class on PHP, but figured that there is a huge glut of code monkeys looking for work. (Heard too much rumors about programmers getting laid off, especially in Portland.)

Got Ubuntu installed with wireless and sound cards working, thanks to an Ubuntu forum. Yay!

Ohio LinuxFest is coming along, and been writing an article on why it’s important for students to attend this conference. It will be published shortly on the OLF website. Also, you can follow us at Twitter: @ohiolinux.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

I’ve just uploaded the Fort Wayne Tea Party pics to Flickr.

Some things of note:

Saw a bunch of conservatives of various types: Fair Tax proponents, Birchers, McCain fanboys, Palin admirers, the Ron Paul/Campaign for Liberty group, several Libertarians…and pretty much everyone who’s disgusted with the two party system and the taxes.

Alan Keyes did well, and he spoke without notes nor teleprompter. Mind you, I disagree on his stance on foreign policy and his treatment towards his daughter…but that’s another story.

It was a peaceful protest, with families in attendance. One couple from the RP group gave away pocket-sized Constitutions. Another gave JBS literature.

BTW: To future protesters…PLEASE USE SPELL CHECK. Nothing says slack-jawed yokel like a misspelled sign.

And here is the part where I advise you that the following part is crude and full of juvenile behavior, so do not click after the jump:
Read more

I’m writing this on Ubuntu to avoid any Conficker antics. No tricks from me this year, but I do have some news for you.

The Prediger and I returned from Arizona for the season. The neighbors at the over-55 resort assisted us in “summer-proofing” our home. That involved putting out open jugs of water inside various locations, stuffing newspaper inside an empty and clean fridge, placing baggies of water over sink drains, and shutting down everything.

The parents came by to visit us for the weekend after the dust settled. Wayne was especially glad to see them. They were so happy to see us after 4 years. I took Mother to Von Maur, where there are great sales on decent stuff. She actually got a thin cardigan for 5 dollars. I got a nice nightshirt for 11. It has a print of various sushi, with Japanese-style writing. I will have to send a pic of it to Hanzi Smatter so Tian can laugh at the jumble.

Finally, here is a Spongebob cartoon that is perfect for today.

(Yes, “vodak” is spelled as it is….just ask the guys at Fark.com.)

I’ve made my first batch of strawberry-infused vodka…and it went well. My neighbours enjoyed how the vodka picked up the essence. Here is how I made the vodka:

1) Purchase 2 lbs of strawberries and 1.75L of vodka. (You can even purchase Popov and the results will go well, as the berries will make the vodka smoother.) I purchased the strawberries for 2.50 total at Bashas’ and the vodka at the liquor store for 12 bux.
2) Chop up the strawberries and remove the white stuff. I chopped the fruit up into quarters, but I’m thinking of chopping it into coin sized pieces for better infusion.
3) Get a glass ice tea jar or a plastic water jug and place the chopped fruit in it. If you want, add sugar or sweetener to it to taste.
4) Pour the vodka into the container and place the container in a dark place for 30 hours. The berries will turn a ghostly white. Do not be alarmed.
5) Pour the vodka into its original container. You may serve it with 7up, straight over ice, or like a martini with sweet vermouth (just garnish with a fresh strawberry).

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did.