Yikes.

The lack of posting around here is a direct result of just how much I've been working lately. And I'll tell you, I REALLY don't belong in the superficial, drama-filled, ridiculous world that is cosmetics. BUT, it's the best paying job I've ever had and right now it's paying the bills. But boy oh boy have I had it up to here. Let me tell you. Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!


More (and happier) posts in April! Spring has sprung 'round here and my roses are getting ready (my lavender is in full bloom already!)

The Osmond SISTERS!!!

Or are they??? ...

Ya wanna win a brand new Janome sewing machine? Huh, do ya??? Well, you'd better enter to win real quick-like 'cause the contest is going to end on March 30th. TWO lucky, lucky people are going to win an awesome Janome machine, and if you know anything about me, you know I love me a Janome.

So. Go enter to win. Watch this neat video with the lovely ladies who are hosting this giveaway and hope/pray/wish/plead that you are one of those two winners.

Oh yeah. Lest I forget. There are also ten kits being given away to make some really darling pincushions. You'll see them in the vid.

Good luck!

P.S. If you want to find out if these lovely ladies are Osmonds or not, you're going to have to watch to find out. :)

Giveaway, Giveaway, Enter in the Giveaway!

So OF COURSE Sue is bringin' it with the raddest giveaway of the YEAR! A chance to win

(trumpet sounding)

An HP Compaq Mini CQ10 Series Netbook!!!!

I am making Sue SO. FREAKING. JEALOUS. 

YEESSSSSSS!!!!

If I Were...

*if I were a day of the week, I'd be Sunday!
*if I were a time of day, I'd be 7AM in the morning.
*if I were a direction, I'd be West.
*if I were a tree, I'd be of the Willow or Oak varieties.
*if I were a tool, I'd be a pair of scissors.
*if I were a flower I'd be of the Hyacinth variety.
*if I were a musical instrument I'd be a harp or a sitar.
*if I were a color, I'd be gold.
*if I were a fruit, I'd be a pomegranate.
*if I were an element, I'd be earth.

*if I were a food, I'd be asparagus.
*if I were a place, I'd be San Francisco.
*if I were a material, I'd be wood.
*if I were a scent, I'd be vanilla.
*if I were an object I'd be a Victorian House.
*if I were a song I'd be Free Bird, I guess...

NieNie on the Today Show

Our beloved Stephanie Nielson is on the Today Show today. Please enjoy, and then go hug your loved ones!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

On Being a Good Blogger

Well, for starters, I am probably not one. I see a good blogger as someone who has lots of lovely pictures and tutorials and personal anecdotes to share with her readers. While this is what I want and aspire to be, right now I am not. Partly this is because I have yet to find my "voice", hence the name "Un Peu De Tout", French for "a little bit of everything" - because that's what I like, a little bit of everything. And while that can be endearing to some, myself included, it also doesn't create much of a readership of people who want to see what you come up with next. Several blogs on my sidebar have distinct voices and you kind of know what to expect from them. Mommyhood, crafting and/or sewing, cooking, religious stuff. I have a very eclectic set of things that I like, much of which does not fit well together. And while that is all well and good, I seem to have a strong resisitance to blogging about just one or two main topics as I am not totally into any one thing. I am a new makeup artist and maybe I'll find inspiration there, which I would love. I really enjoy Makeup Geek and perhaps I'll find my stride like she has. I love sewing and crafting, but for goodness' sake, I don't even have a sewing machine yet so there's no way that little old me can do any tutorials on making a darn thing. Homelife right now isn't something worth blogging about so that's out too. Maybe I have some readers out there despite the lack of a unifying thread tying some things together. I also am really apprehensive about expressing my political views and that's why I've kept my blog private for so long. I am pretty "lefty" at this point in my life and I know that strong opinions on either side of things are alienating. Yet, it is something that I would kind of feel incomplete without in my life, I really enjoy politics and news. Luckily I get to talk to my husband about all that so maybe I should just stick to talking about it with someone who understands my thinking and luckily agrees with most of my views.

Sigh. Well, I figure I'll keep plugging along and see what comes of it all. As I begin this new stage and career maybe something will arise I had not even expected. That would ne cool!

Update

Hello. It's been nearly a week since I last posted and I'm afraid this isn't going to be much of a post either. But I have some good things in store, so stay tuned!

Is Glenn Beck Really A Monster?

No. Is he a saint? Well, he is a Saint, but not a Saint.

You know what? I'm no conservative (shocking, I know) - not by a long shot. But I really don't like it when people intentionally give misleading information to others and present it as fact.

This happened today on a blog in my blogroll (you'll find it if interested). The blog author gave the post a nasty title about Glenn Beck and proceeded to copy and paste text from another web page - not run by Beck, nor a site about the book - about some passages from Glenn Beck's 2003 book, The Real America. This particular passage went into a somewhat disturbing bit of detail about a supposed fantasy relationship Beck had with his sister as a young man. Fine. Weird. But that's all the author of the blog posted. From this blog author's link to the web page they took this information from, there was a further excerpt from Beck explaining that he used this story, whether it is true or false was not stated and really doesn't matter in this case, to further explain a larger point he was making - a parable of sorts.

What I think of this story, or Beck's politics in general, have nothing to do with this to me. I am defending him in this instance because this poster was misleading their readers by only posting part of the truth and presenting it as the whole truth. That's just not thinking critically, which is what intelligent and thoughtful people do. When you have a captive audience, you are bound by Socratic eithics, in my eyes, to present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Especially when using someone else's words. Period.

Hidy Ho

Ever since I began journaling, which was, oh, a bout 9 or 10 years ago, I have always wanted to immortalize what I consider to be important days. The first day of each month is that to me. So with today being the first day of June and all, I wanted to at the very least post on this date. There are some things that I could whine and gripe about, there are somethings that I could wax hopeful about, but, well, I am too whiny to bother... hopefully.

Instead I shall link to what I've been reading today. Tomorrow I'll post something more substantial.

CJane's new blog! (awesome!)
Otep talks about gay marriage.
GM files for Bankruptcy (duh?!)
Dick Cheney has a dirty little secret (what's new??)

Why I'm Here

Hi, my name is Sundance Kid and I'm a blogger.

The reason I first started this blog was so that I could have a place of my own to strut my literary stuff, but lately it's more turned into a platform for my views and interests. I'm fine with all of that. Of course, when I have something to say, I write, and when I have something to show, I show it.

When I heard of a blog for the first time, I laughed with great surprise at the concept of a person telling details about their life in a place for all to see. I couldn't understand why someone would want to do that. But then I began to read blogs (some favorites are in my sidebar) and saw that really, people chose what they said and how much they said. I began to see the allure.

I even started a blog quite some time ago (it is this very one and was surprised to see it still available to me because I had deleted it... hmm) but it petered out because I didn't keep up with it at all, really. But now, obviously, I do. I like it this time 'round. It works for me at this moment in time and I am rather enjoying the process and results.

So, there you have it. The alpha and the omega.

Cheers.

Random Thursday

I, like many parents, dread this time of the year for one reason: the kids get out of school. *Dun dun dun!!!* As one blogger put it, it is like staring into the jaws of hell. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. It's hard enough keeping them on track and entertained when they go somewhere for 8 hours a day, five days a week. But 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Hell. Pure hell. I mean, look. There are going to be good things and moments and events to look forward to, etc. They especially are looking forward to the break and I can't blame them. All they can think about is the fun they'll be having and NO SCHOOL!! But the parent, the poor poor parent, is the one that really has to deal with the whining and boredom and such. Every day is a fight to keep the debacle at bay and keep sanity in the home. Can't they have some aunt to go visit for a month or something? That would be great. In fact, they had the chance to go to England for the month of July but that didn't pan out - for good reason - so it's all us, baby. *Sigh* I've been stocking up on arts and crafts and have designed a schedule for them to follow because I cannot. live. in. chaos. Period. Can't do it. It's hard enough for me to keep things cheery so when there is a schedule to follow, one, it eats up time, and two, gives structure to an otherwise unstructured day. That makes me happy inside and not want to pull my hair out an banish everyone to their rooms - including myself. So, like all the other summers I've endured, I will make it work and there will be good memories to look back upon. I wish that I had the summer off -- in fact I was planning on being able to do so, but alas I still have to complete my statistics class -- BOO. That will be a 6-week class, four days a week, 3 hours a day, not including homework time. But as with all other dastardly math classes I've had to complete, I just devote myself to the math lab and complete homework there so that when I come home I don't have to stress about the class and can just enjoy the time off. Because of the schedule there won't be much going away from the home, but then again our car can't really fit everything anyway - that's why we're looking into buying a minivan or an SUV because we NEEEEEEED to get away. You know, I was thinking the other day about the concept of vacations - because we study things like how much vacation time a country allows its citizens and the like - and I realized that I have never, ever been on a vacation. I've gone places and done things, but maybe my idea of a vacation is different that that of the average American's. When I fantasize about going on vacation, I think of a place where there are no phones, no TVs, no computers (I'll get over it quickly, I'm sure), no kids (sorry girls), and no bloody demands. Just me and the man, relaxing, laying about, eating good food, repeat. So. This is a goal of mine. I doubt I'll be able to accomplish this goal any time soon, but it is a good and worthy goal nonetheless.

Phew. Thanks for listening.

Bicycle! Bicycle!

See that beaut over there in the sidebar? You know, the fantastical bicycle? Well, I'm a tryin' to win it. Now that I'll be in university come fall, I could really use an awesome and stylish utility bike to transport me and my school supplies to and fro on the gargantuan campus. If you wanna help a girl out, go ahead and click on the bugger and give 'em some traffic from my site.

She'd make me so very happy! I haven't had a bike this cool since I had my pink and purple huffy with a bell and tassels when I was a little girl. Sweet!

(25 extra points for anyone who guesses the song the title of this post came from. Hint: it's a rock-n-roll song.)

7 Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know About Me!

1.) I have to warm the outside of each bottle I use in the shower under hot water before I can use what's inside.

2.) I am perfectly happy being a "pointy-headed intellectual" and have no desire to dumb down.

3.) I secretly want to be a Mormon. (However, that may conflict with #2... hmm)

4.) I hate when my phone rings. And yes, I screen my calls.

5.) I do not like horror or sci fi movies or books.

6.) I have saved every single letter my husband has ever written to me.

7.) I could eat Italian food every single day for the rest of my life and be perfectly contented.

Longing

Have any of you experienced a great longing for something you knew you just couldn't and shouldn't have at that time in your life? Well, I, unfortunately, have this quite often - with many a different things. But the one which I am feeling today, and am for some reason brave enough to blog about, is about having children.

See, I am an evil stepmother - DUN DUN DUN. And while I could rail on about what a bloody difficult and thankless job that is, and believe me, it IS, I will only talk about the fact that sometimes, when I am feeling particularly mental, I wish to have my own children. Now, I am in no position to do this, not for a long while for so many, many reasons. But like I said, sometimes I just get bit with a bug that makes me long for my own chillins. I (of course) wonder what they would look like, think about what I would name them, wonder how much different life would be, etc. I also am of the mind that more people is not exactly a good thing for the planet and honestly, life is simply better without children. Damn biology!

It's actually a little frustrating at times because I start to ramble on in my head about, "Will I ever have a 'right time', will I know if it's the right time", yadda yadda yadda. While I wouldn't advocate having children while young, I also believe that everyone has different paths and desires and so the 'right time' for one may not be the same for another in similar circumstances.

It has gotten better over time, though. I used to spend time in the baby sections of stores, read baby product and information websites, read baby BOOKS, blogs, etc. and I think that that even helped me subside some of the more intense sessions. Luckily that has mainly passed. But every once in a while, when I am feeling particularly whimsical and out-of-touch with (my) reality, I get all goo-goo eyed and mushy about having a baby. Sigh. Some just never learn, do they?

Snippet

I thought I'd give a more detailed account of ME since blogs are really just a bunch of snippets. Which is fine, and one very well can get a clear sense of who a person is (or who they wish to portray themselves as) through blogs, but, well, I guess I don't have a grandiose excuse. I just felt like posting this. Take it or leave it. There are lots of other blogs out there if this one isn't for you. My only rule with myself for blogging (and in life in general) is to be honest with myself. And so I am. :D

This is a snippet of me, what I like, etc.


Human rights and true democracy, Democrat of the Socialist sort, animal rights and animal LIBERATION, speaking and learning French, sociology (my passion, the very essence of my being), Hobbits, indulgence not compulsion, my homemade rice milk (yummm), Bikram yoga (aka Fire Yoga), Antique and Rockabilly fashions, Raqs Sharqi (aka Belly Dance), salty-ass pirates (not to be confused with salty ass-pirates), writing, crusty European breads, a hot bath, the rain, individualism, Black Moors, trees, quiet, linguistics, plants, creativity, good and true friends, philology, loyal and loving family, a piping hot cup o' British tea, psychology, highbrow humor, not turning the other cheek, everything East Indian, history, a rich cup of coffee once in awhile (only our local Tailormade Goat Rock blend ~ brewed in a French Press, of course), FREEDOM, classical languages, separation of Church and State, not subscribing to social norms out of fear or in desire of being "accepted", etymology, local microbrews and microbreweries, grammar, European-style pubs and taverns, garlic fries with an amber ale, a cap of Port now and then, cooking and enjoying good grub, reading (always on the hunt for a good book), blogging, fresh fruit and veggies, the month of August ;), autumn (my favorite season!), our neighborhood block parties and BBQs, NATURE, brewing my own beer, and anything or anyone that piques my interest.
Oh yeah. And if my ideals frighten or threaten you, then your ideals probably would do the same to me.

Long Time No Post

Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Along with being busy with several different projects and chores clinging to my ankles (preparing the garden for April planting {I hereby promise pictures shortly}, baking some goodies with the kiddos {Elvis' favorite pound cake}, doing a bit of spring cleaning, trying to get a head start on my next papers, trying to have a romantic and social life), I've also just been trying to vegetate. After that 30-page paper of mine my brain was fried.

But the weekend included several trips to the pool (great for letting the kiddies blow off some steam and great for startin' ma tan), lots of fun sleepovers and playdates (am I the only mom who hates that word? When I was a kid we used to just "play" - now it's all about the schedule of things... *sigh*), and generally just enjoying the lovely sunshine and time with family.

Alongside all of this, I've been doing a lot of soul searching, too. Mostly this consists of trying to define and solidify who I am, which in turn consists of finding out what I do and don't like and allowing room for changes. I seem to have a lot of interests that really don't fit well together and I think this is what creates the dissonance inside for me. It's really quite frustrating, actually. Thus the soul searching. I am trying to find out who I am. But I also believe that this is a lifelong persuit, it's not an event and it's not something that only takes place in one's youth. I believe that if a person isn't constantly evolving (with certain values, etc. as pillars that are mainstays) then they aren't being honest with themselves, or at the very least are missing out on life. As Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." And I agree.

So here's to all of us. To the search, the path, the changes, and the growth. As long as I (and we) are honest with my- ourselves, we really can't go wrong. At least I believe this to be true.

Just For Fun

1. Rock Star name (first pet name, current car): Columbus Bavarian Motor Works.


2. Gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite shoe): Rocky Road Clogs.


3. Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal): Green Elephant.


4. Soap Star name (your middle name, city you were born in): Joy Willits.


5. Star Wars name (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Sench.


6. Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Purple Chai.


7. NASCAR name (first names of your grandfathers): Bobby Don.


8. Dancer name (favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Design Cadbury .


9. TV news anchor name (Last name of 5th grade teacher, major city starting with the same letter): Crosier Cambridge.


10. Spy name (favorite season/holiday, favorite flower): Autumn Hyacinth.


11. Cartoon character name (favorite fruit, article of clothing you are currently wearing): Clementine Cardigan.


12. Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast this morning, favorite tree): Muesli Willow.


13. Movie star name (name of first pet, first street you lived on): Columbus Seville.

Another Stab

Well, I thought I'd give the ol' blogging thing another try. I figured it like this: I love to write, and I read at LEAST ten blogs a day (OK, maybe not that many, but close!). So WHAT THE HECK was I doing without a blog?! I mean, HELLO???

So, here I am. At the beginning of what I hope is a successful run at... running a blog.

Welcome and Enjoy!!