The Office Friday

I was sort of hoping the halloween part would last longer, awesome. Creed was the perfect joker, so scary. Maybe if then need another joker for Batman sequels they can just call him. I also really thought that Dwight's joker was sooo funny. Did anyone actually get what Ryan the Temp was supposed to be?

So looks like Holly is gone...are we thinking that Toby is coming back? I was discussing this with Damon, and he wanted me to relay the message that "toby sucks" to you Gal. :)

Dwight tormenting Andy with the whole Cornell thing? And the interview scene was classic. Loved it, almost felt like the way that Jim usually messes w/ Dwight. Andy as the beat farmer? Ha.

Your comments?
Next week on The Office:
11/06/08: CUSTOMER SURVEY: Jim & Dwight are shocked when they get the result of the annual customer survey report.

Bumper Sticker Update

My apologies, it has been a while, and I know that many of you out there are clamoring for MORE BUMPER STICKERS! To be completely honest I've been totally overwhelmed with the bumper stickers out there. McCain stickers, once a rare sight, are now making a huge comeback (could it be foreshadowing for election day?) But Obama seems to be keeping right on track, as just about everybody and their mom (yes I saw a hand written sign on a car that said "Another Mama for Obama") has one on their car. Although the general trends continue, I am seeing more and more random outliers that defy popular presidential bumper sticker wisdom. It's a tricky one this time around folks.

Sometimes a modest bumper sticker or several just won't due. I wonder if this is the equivalent to the elderly (or visually challenged) buying large font books? Huge McCain Posterboard on what I think is a Bronco? -submitted by Meagan's sister via Meagan.

These two cars were spotted parked outside of a Starbucks in Corvallis. What I wouldn't give to see the owners arrive back at their cars at the same time. I envision a street fight, or possibly a spontaneous political debate (complete with distinguished moderator) breaking out instantaneously. Obama GMC Yukon (huge gas guzzling SUV?!? what Obama?) and a McCain Cadillac -submitted by Paige.

Here's another random one for ya - McCain Geo Metro.
Obama Mini-Cooper -submitted by Scanson.

Awesome! I love this one, although I admit, someone else had reportedly seen another bike with an Obama sticker, this is the first one that I have photographic evidence of. Just because you don't have a car people, it doesn't mean you can't display your political views for all to see. By all means! The next one I want to see is a sticker on a skateboard. Or maybe a McCain sticker on a Tank? or Humvee? Is that too much to ask? -submitted by Scanson

Another one of my more recent personal favorites: Obama Cadillac with the multiplier (I've taken to refering to additional bumper stickers as "multipliers" like on video games, when I see all the extras I hear the 1-Up's going off in my head.) "I'm not suffering from insanity, I enjoy ever minute of it" Hmmm...I don't know how much that one is helping his cause. "I'll have what the crazy guy in the caddy is having."

Because sometimes 2 stickers that say the exact same thing just aren't enough. Is that a Ron Paul sticker on the top right???? McCain/Palin, McCain/Palin Ford -submitted by Shannon via Scanson.

This is Gross

You've probably already seen this, but if you haven't - it's gross. 2nd play on the video & make sure you wait on the replay.

Google Reader & Following Blogs

I am obsessed with following blogs and reading them in my google reader. If you're not using this blogger feature you need to. It is revolutionizing my ability keep up with everyone out there blogging it out. From your blogger dashboard just start entering in the URL's for all the blogs you like to read regularly then click the handy link to "read in google reader" and your life is complete.

If you don't have a blogger account, I'm pretty sure you can still get the google reader to work through gmail, but I certainly can't help you.

Seriously though. My web based how-to skills are lacking, but check it out and let me know if you don't find it pretty awesome too.

p.s. all you out there wondering how Zeb is doing with the Sox eliminated, well he is just fine. He's going through some serious withdrawls and bouts of depression, he has vowed to boycott the world series, but over all us prognosis is good.

Presidential Bumper Sticker Mania

The ballots are out (at least in Oregon where we have mailout ballots) and the '08 presidential campaign is barreling out of control toward it's close. Or something like that. The more intense this race gets, the more intense the bumper stickers are. And the great thing about it is, now people are putting some all out attitude into their vehicle adornments.

"Sarah Palin '08 & That Other Guy" - submitted by Ben

"Obama '08, You can't be serious" -submitted by Scanson

Mitsubishi Galant - McCain/Palin

Acura 3.0CL - Obama/Biden

Toyota Prius - Obama '08

Toyota Highlander - Obama

Toyota Tacoma - McCain/Palin

Subaru Outback - Obama (yes I'm out diligently taking pictures at night too)

Scion Rampvan - Independents for Obama

Honorable Mention: Medium sized nice Chevy Truck - Arabs for McCain, really wish I had a picture for that. Almost as much as I wish I had a picture of the prius with the nasa sticker and the reading is sexy sticker. Get your camera's out people!!!!

Inside the Mind of a Bumper Sticker Connoisseur

Ever since my bumper sticker obsession started, there have been some burning questions that had been haunting my every waking moment, and even some dreams. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I really had been wondering about some things. You know general bumper sticker etiquette, how long is too long to rock a presidential bumper sticker? how do the serious bumper sticker aficionados out there decide what makes the cut and gets on their car? Lots questions people!!! Well, as luck would have it, Damon hooked me up with just the person to answer my questions. His co-worker Kimber. So without further ado - 6 burning questions with a bumper sticker veteran.

1) Introduce yourself and give us an idea of how you got involved in the world of bumper stickers:

I'm Kimber, I got my first bumper sticker a few years ago (it was on my Mazda 626) It said "Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History." I thought it was clever so when I sold the car I bought the same sticker and put it on the new one.

2) How does a bumper sticker veteran/connoisseur such as yourself decide which stickers make the cut and end up on your car?

It has to say something about me. I currently have 3 stickers on my car: "Well Behaved..." "Women Veterans; It's all about the Chicks" and "Veterans for Obama"

3) Favorite bumper sticker that you have on your car? Favorite sticker that you've seen on another car?

"Well-Behaved Women" is my favorite. One sticker that I thought was funny was "If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did He make them out of meat?" I used to have "A woman's place is in the House, the Senate, and the Oval Office" but I took it off when Hillary was running since I was an Obama supporter (I didn't want to send mixed messages). I liked the IDEA of a woman president but not THAT woman.

4) Displaying the sticker of a presidential candidate is a slippery slope, do you ever get any flack from random people who disapprove of your politics? What is your reaction?

I've never been negatively approached by anyone because of the bumper-stickers. I think for the most part people are pretty respectful of differing opinions. Even though I can't imagine why anyone would support John McCain, it's their right to do so.

5) How will you know when it's time to take off your Obama sticker? After the election? If he wins does it stay? If he loses does it go? What if he were to become a 2 term president? Would it last 8 years? Will you keep it for the life of the car? The people want to know.

Nope, the "Veterans for Obama" sticker is coming off November 5th. Well, definitely by inauguration day. When he runs for his second term in 4 years, I'll get a new sticker.

6) I saw a pick-up over the weekend with a 'W' 04 sticker, I gotta admit,
at this point that's pretty obnoxious. Do you ever worry that you'll become "that guy"?

I will never, EVER, become "that guy."

I think that sums it up, people who rock bumper stickers take great care in what they choose to represent on their ride. But to all those bumper sticker loving, presidential candidate supporting Americans out there - take a lesson from Kimber and exercise some responsibility with your auto adhesive. Don't let me catch you rocking your Gore/Lieberman sticker in 2008.

I Heart Oregon

A few weeks ago while on an Obama bumper sticker rampage I spotted a car with one of these funny stickers. What did it mean, I heart Oregon? Oregon hearts green? Green hearts in Oregon? I kind of got the point, but it was still a mystery. Until one of my softball girls pointed out that there is a website that exists solely to explain this phenomenon. Bottom line: the guy who invented these stickers is a lunatic. Entertaining, but a lunatic. For a good laugh, check out the site & read through the various sections.

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

I've been getting a lot of questions regarding Zeb & his mental and physical well-being now that the Red Sox are on the brink of playoff elimination. Let me tell you, things have been touch and go. Zeb and Damon had started to grow playoff beards at the start of the division series. At some point during game 4 of the ALCS Zeb got desperate and shaved his beard into a mustache (if it worked for Giambi, why not Zeb?) The mustache didn't seem to be anymore effective than the beard, and Zeb has now returned to his normal, clean shaven apperance.

Needless to say, Zeb has been going through some serious guess and check measures to figure out which of his superstitions are working and which need to be eliminated. After the outcome of tonight's game, I'd say he's finally starting to get on track.
He started with some good preparation yesterday when he wore his classic Pedro Martinez jersey all day (yes, this is the very same jersey he wore out historically in Eugene in '04 after game 3 of the ALCS in which the Yankees had manhandled the Sox to the tune of 19-3 or something of that nature. Down 0-3, and yes, on the verge of elimination, Zeb showed his devotion to the team by supporting the team colors even when it was somewhat difficult to do so) He has also reverted to an old tradition of setting up the team line-up in front of the TV in baseball cards. He had not been doing this previously this post-season for fear that Ollie might jump up by the TV and damage his cards.
Any other baseball fans had about enough of Bon Jovi? If I hear that stupid song that they're using for the MLB post-season commercial, in between EVERY SINGLE INNING gimmick one more time I'm going to freak out. Oh yeah, that already happened. Jon Bon Jovi, you give MLB post-season theme songs a bad name.

p.s. Best quote by Zeb tonight, said while complaining about how the Red Sox fans were quiet and not giving it their all during most of the series so far: "Yeah, I've been flaming Sox Nation all day on the forums!!!!!" (said in a super juiced/fired up way) .......... Me = "wow"

Bumper Sticker Update

Also: Have been informed of a Prius sporting Obama along with the Oregon with a heart in it, a NASA sticker, a "Reading is Sexy" sticker. I'm pretty bummed there's no picture.

Go to www.7-election.com All I have to say about that is Coffee drinkers love Obama

Happy Birthday Damon!!!

Wow. Nice hair Bob Seger. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAMON!!!!

Bumper Sticker Update

Bumper Sticker Update

I went shopping in the fine town of Albany last weekend, and let me tell you, those people like their bumper stickers. I saw them everywhere! I've also gotten several emails and texts keeping me updated on the bumper sticker goings ons, so I certainly appreciate that. But I have come upon a rather disconcerting phenomenon. I've received an emailed picture of a large truck supposedly sporting both a UO sticker and a McCain sticker, but conveniently enough I was not able to make out the stickers in the photo. It's sort of like Big Foot, some people say they've seen it, and some people even say they have pictures, but I'm not sure I'm a believer. UO and McCain? That's like oil & water.

Also - am working on an interview with a big time bumper sticker veteran. It's a co-worker of Damons, she has supposedly like 8 bumper stickers currently on her car, including an Obama sticker & "A Woman's Place is in the Oval Office" sticker. Looking forward to getting some of our biggest questions answered. Namely, at what point after the election do you remove your candidates sticker? If you've got any burning questions regarding bumper stickers, post 'em up and I'll do my best to get it answered.

Family Picture

My ears aren't the only ones getting older. Ollie is growing up too. Look:

His ears are popped up now......

And he walks on a lease!!!!

Ohhhhhh, ooooooohhhhh, Growing Up

That's a Springsteen reference in the title if you were wondering. Oh come on, watch the link...you know you want to...2:00 mins in, check it out, if you can't enjoy that, you can't enjoy anything.

In a subject completely unrelated to Springsteen: You know those moments when you have to pause and realize "I am Old." How about this one? You're flipping through your ipod and come across a song that used to be an old favorite, one that you had heard hundreds of times before and never taken issue with. But for some reason this time through the uncensored lyrics are so vile and jarring that you are forced to flip to the next song, and vow to promptly removed it from your itunes. Does this ever happen to anyone else? The older my ears get the less able they are to filter out offensive lyrics and allow me to appreciate an otherwise catchy song. I'm pretty sure this is the same condition that causes parents to pick out the one single curse word in any song, and then tell you that you shouldn't be listening to such garbage.

Got any moments that have recently caused you to face your ever climbing age? Post 'em up.

Bumper Sticker Update

This Taurus proves that McCain apparently does not have the entire market of Ford's, and it was taken in McCain's home state of Arizona. Go Figure.

In other news: The first person to spot and photograph a "Coldest State - Hottest Governor" bumper sticker gets $10.

It Begins

You may not be aware of it, but the world as we know it almost ended this morning. Zeb woke up and couldn't find his Soxtober sweatshirt. The sweatshirt that I had made for him with iron on letters. You know - the sweatshirt that single-handedly won the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox. Yeah, that sweatshirt. Zeb had somehow misplaced it during the course of the move from Montana, and even though I offered to make a new one - no replacement would do.

Luckily he found it (exactly where I said it would be by the way) in the storage unit about a half hour later.
I got home from work only to find lucky sox baseball cards lined up in front of the computer. And it begins...

In other baseball related news: In the absence of a Yankees playoff birth, I would officially like to announce that I will be supporting the LA Dodgers this October.

Who will you be backing? Post up your alliances so that we can properly congratulate/heckle you.

Zeb's Pre-Playoff Preparations: The Interview

Here's a fun feature we started last fall during the playoffs.  An interview with Zeb to get inside the head of an insane Boston Red Sox fan.  Beware, what you read may disturb you.  My comments are in italics.

HAE: When does the Red Sox series start?  Who do they play?

ZBE:  They start Wednesday, October 1, and they are playing the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim.

HAE: What are your plans for this year’s playoffs?  Any new superstitions I should be aware of?

ZBE:  (long sigh)  No new superstitions.  I am really worried that I’m going to have to work and I won’t be able to put in my full effort for the Sox.  They are going to need my strength. 

HAE:  So you’re just going to let it go like that?  No adaptations for your superstitions?

ZBE:  Oh no, I’m going to have to #1) use my lucky cards.  I’ll set those up at work.  Of course I’ll dress in my Red Sox gear & do my own thing.  It’s a new environment, so I’ll just have to figure it out as I go.  Last year I had Pumpkin Ale for every game, but this year I don’t have a World Market close by to get the Pumpkin Ale & I can’t drink at work. 

HAE:  What about any new gimmicks, like your Soxtober shirt from last year?

ZBE:  I don’t think I’ll rock any new gimmicks.  I think I’ll need to go out and wear what worked last year.  But I tell you what, I will work on a new slogan for this year.  Right now it’s just too early to say.

HAE:  What is the Red Sox biggest strength this year?

ZBE:  Camaraderie of the team.  LOL @ Damon.

HAE:  Biggest weakness?

ZBE:  Pitching.  I think Beckett being injured with an oblique problem, not being able to be the “Ace” of the staff, we are going to have to roll with Lester & Dice-K then Beckett.  If I had my way we would be able to run Beckett, Lester then Dice-K.

HAE:  What other key series will you have your eye on?

ZBE:  I know what series I won’t have my eye on, and that’s a Yankees series or a Mets series.  But I am really worried about Tampa Bay.

HAE:  How do you plan to overcome the fact that you frequently have to work late?  Will you look at scores ahead of time, if not, do you have any strategies planned for avoiding unintentional score spoilers?

ZBE:  They do have a small 13 inch TV in the break room that cuts in and out of color.  I’m sure I’ll put that on and check on it pretty regularly.  Trust me, I’ll get my Soxtober in.

HAE:  Admit it – without the Yankees in the playoffs there is a little something missing.

ZBE:  Yeah, an easy opponent, you’re right. (Hartburned)

HAE:  3 Red Sox keys to victory?

ZBE:  1)      Starters need to fill the role of Josh Beckett and his dominance last year.

2)      Team needs to stay healthy, with Lowell, Drew and Beckett all dealing with nagging issues, it will be a huge factor in their ability to get to the World Series.

3)      Jacoby needs to get on base.

HAE:  World Series prediction?

ZBE:  Whoever wins the Sox/Angels division series is going to take it all the way.  In the NL I think the Dodgers will knock off the Cubbies.  The Brewers won’t be able to ride C.C. Sabathia much longer, so the Phillies will take that series.  I think the Dodgers will beat the Phillies as well.  Sox over Dodgers in 7 on an Ortiz walk of homerun, Manny Ramirez breaks his arm.  But hey, nobody thought the Rays would hang on to 1^st place in the AL east, so who knows.

HAE:  We have a good little handful of either LA residents or other miscellaneous Angel’s fans that read the blog – any trash talk/comments for them?

ZBE:  No, I’m going to be a humble guy until we win it all.  You can’t talk shit until the game has been played, its really whoever is going to show up. (There's a first for everything)

HAE:  What team do you think Ollie will be pulling for?

ZBE:  Ollie is definitely a Boston guy.

HAE:  Final thoughts?

ZBE:  Damon/Zach - you better pull for your Dodgers to beat those Cubbies so I can see you in the World Series.

The Office Monday

There are 3 kinds of people in the world.

1. Awesome People: Find The Office hilarious
2. People who have never seen The Office: living WRONG.
3. ... (don't find the office funny? I just can't even fathom that)

That said, the Office premiered this week. Thursday September 25th was possibly the best day in the history of the world, The Beavs upset USC and that wasn't even the best part of my day, as I still had the premiere waiting for me at home on DVR. And yes, I did go home and watch it immediately after the game.

Let's see, where to begin?

• Holly finds out that Kevin isn't really retarded. AWESOME.
• Meredith's face in at the start of the episode? What in the hell happened??
• Angela & Andy's wedding planning - Laef & A-Ross you might be able to get some ideas there.
• Pam off to the graphic design program - weak. But she should be home soon. Will she get her old job back though? Pam's classmate that she's flirting and making jokes with?!?
  
• Michael telling the office that he's the father of Jan's baby.
• Dwight & Angela's booty calls!?
• Ryan the Temp is back, funny but I'm not sure how I feel about it, I was really hating him by the end of last season.
  
• Jim & Pam are engaged!!!! yay!

Post up with your comments/reactions/favorite parts!

Next week on The Office:

BUSINESS ETHICS: Following Ryan's recent scandal at corporate, Holly must hold a business ethics seminar.

OSU vs. USC

This Thursday OSU upset #1 ranked USC at home in Reser Stadium. It was legen...wait for it...dary. It was definitely the biggest game I have ever been on the sideline for, but the problem was that I was so stressed that SC was going to come back and win that I couldn't relax the entire time. It was nationally televised, and that has to be the first time that I've seen the Beavs put together a big win when we're on national TV. It just never happens. We had to hustle all of our gear off the field during the last 3 mins. of the game, because the fans were undoubtably going to rush the field at the end of the game. Everything just seemed to go our way, but I guess sometimes that is what happens when you do the preparation and then go all out when it comes game time.

I was really proud of the guys, and you can't help but think this win wouldn't have been possible without some of the tough losses/learning situations against Stanford & Penn State. At Stanford we played flat, but even though we ended up losing the team showed that they had an ability to hang in there and compete. At Penn State we got a chance to measure ourselves against one of the better teams in the country. That game we looked slow and just plain 1-step behind. It was an opportunity to see what level we could have to play at to compete against the best. So now that we've got the kinks worked out, here's to a 10-2 record?

On a funnier note - I was forced to wear a noise dosimeter the entire day for the nice people at the health and safety board. They had a person from every department, Athletic Training, Equipment, Coaching and various others I'm sure that they rigged up with this ridiculous device to see how much noise we would be exposed to in an 8 hour day. They originally wanted my boss to wear the thing, but he was with the team at the hotel when they arrived and I figured I would man up and take one for the team, as the boss man doesn't much like to deal with extraneous issues on game day.
At first it worked out very well to my advantage, I told the students that they needed to be quite around me due to the microphone. It was great because we have one real chatty cathy that is always making me insane. Too bad that only lasted about 10 minutes. Things turned for the worse when my co-workers decided to try to drive up the sound levels by screaming all of their everyday conversations in the office. Another positive is that it did provide grounds for several cheesy jokes:

Co-Worker: Hey Heather, I have an idea...
Me: Oh yeah, well I'm all ears, and a microphone (turns shoulder with microphone toward person)

Co-Worker: Some random smartass comment
Me. Oh yeah, why don't you say that into the mic if you're so tough.

At the end of the day, it was all worth it though, because we beat USC!!!! GO BEAVS!!!

Ollie's first trip to the Vet

Zeb took Ollie to his first vet's appointment last week. He was shocked that "they stick something up his butt, you know?!?!?" Turns out it was a thermometer to check his temperature. Not as traumatic as Zeb originally made it out to be. He weighs 6.3 lbs. The vet recommends that we brush his teeth regularly, and she also has informed us that the breeder that we bought him from is insane. Yeah lady, we figured that out already.

On Saturday we took Ollie to the ol' SH to squire him about the town and introduce him to his grandparents. On the trip he got the chance to meet a 3 legged rotweiler, a weiner dog & a pit bull/lab mix. Talk about networking. Anyway, pictures and stories to come soon.

Hollar.