I'm Going to the Women's US Open Final

Boy am I psyched! I can't stop thinking about it.

The family I nanny for gave me two tickets for my birthday.

OMG! Best Birthday Present Ever!!

I'm Sick

I have a sore throat, fever, congested head.

I hope I feel better by Wednesday as I was planning on going to Montauk.

Fingers crossed.

US Open Series

Re-Cuts

Scary Mary


BIG Secret

A Cat & A Baby

Such an adorable cat... He's eaten a bit too much:



Such an adorable baby... She's cried a bit too much:

Thank You Madonna

At the Live Earth Concert yesterday, Madonna, performed "La Isla Bonita", introducing me to Eugene & Sergey from Gogol Bordello. I absolutely loved that song that they played interspersed throughout Madonna's song. The violin is what gets me. I needed to find out what it was.

Well after searching & searching through Gogol Bordello's songs on iTunes, I couldn't find it. Then I found a link to a NPR interview they did last year and there it was. It's called "Lela Pala Tute" (English name - Dying After You). I even found a MP3 of them singing it on NPR. I now want to find the lyrics.

I like some of Gogol Bordello's songs, classified as Gypsy Punk; the ones with Roma or Romani music predominantly played. Romani is what is usually called Gypsy. The lead singer, Eugene, grew up in the Carpathia region where Ukraine, Romania, Hungary meet.

I simply love this music. I want more of it !!

A Greener Me

A few weeks ago, I bought 12 CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs); unfortunately I broke one with a bad outlet.

I also bought 5 Reusable Bags; I love them. A few times I have been too slow in telling the cashier that either I don't need a plastic bag or I have my own bag and I feel bad about having them take the item(s) out. I also think they will throw that bag away. I can at least re-use it. I also call in a food order for pickup every now & again. They always have it waiting in a plastic bag. Next time, I'll tell them "no bag please". And Taco Bell drive thru... well, I really must stop eating that anyway.

Today, I re-arranged my power plugs to my Computer, Printer, Routers, TV, Cable Box with DVR, DVD Players. They were on power strips with no rhyme or reason and therefore on all the time. Now they're organized so that I can turn off the power strips on & off as needed. No more "phantom electricity". I learned today that TVs and VCRs waste $1 Billion in lost electricity in the USA annually.

When I got my Honda Element in 2004, I thought about getting a moped for short trips to bank, library, etc. About a month ago, I thought about getting a Toyota Prius, but could I give up my love of being high up on the road. And what about my kayak... not that I even use it, but what if I decide to. It was so much easier to put it inside my Element instead of strapping it to the roof.

I thought to myself... hey, I can keep my SUV and do other things. Hence, the CFLs & reusable bags. I also switched to "World's Best Cat Litter" so as to eliminate clay litter. As per TreeHugger.com... "Cat owners should avoid clumping clay litter at all costs. Not only is clay strip-mined (bad for the planet), but the clay sediment is also permeated with carcinogenic silica dust that can coat little kitty lungs (bad for the cat). Plus, the sodium bentonite that acts as the clumping agent can poison your cat through chronic ingestion through their fastidious need to groom. Because sodium bentonite acts like expanding cement—it’s also used as a grouting, sealing, and plugging material—it can swell up to 15 to18 times their dry size and clog up your cat’s insides. Eco-friendly cat litters avoid these problems; a happy cat is a cat that doesn’t claw your face off. "

Yesterday, I thought about an electric moped. That would eliminate using gasoline & oil entirely. Hmm... but I would be using electricity in charging the battery. I have no idea how much that would equal and I'm sure it would still be better than driving my car for short trips. I saw one online that was about $700. That was the low end; others $1200 to $2500.

Then I thought... why don't I just get my bicycle fixed up and use that. No gas. No electricity. Plus... exercise ! I'll need to get a tune-up and I probably need new tires. I'd also like to get a basket or two. If it's too much to fix it up, I may just get a new one.

I am also again thinking about getting a Prius. I still have 2.5 years left on my car loan. I'll look into what the payoff amount is. A Prius would be $23,370 without tax Retail. Here's something from Edmunds.com:


According to Toyota, the Prius' Mileage Estimates (mpg city/highway/combined) are 60/51/55. The EPA has new Mileage Ratings that take into account Air Conditioner use, colder weather, faster speed & acceleration. So, 48/45/46. It's about using less gas & emitting less pollutants.

That's it for now. I pledge to do what I can to be more Green. I think I'm moving in the right direction. Won't you join me?

Venus Wins Fourth Wimbledon Singles Title

She beat Marion Bartoli (France) 6-4, 6-1.

Marion beat #1 Justine Henin in the SemiFinal and #3 Jelena Jankovic in the 4th Round. She played well; didn't seem overwhelmed by the situation ---> playing on Centre Court in the Wimbledon Final. Venus played... well, like Venus. A true Champion.

Richard Williams turned to Marion's father in the stands, said whatever he did; they hugged. Marion's father started to cry & sat down. Me too! It was a very touching moment. Two fathers who were absolutely instrumental in their daughter's tennis development. It was a great moment!

Venus thanked Billie Jean King. She was in the Royal Box along with Martina Navratilova, Virginia Wade and... Bjorn Borg. How I loved him! I even played with his Donnay racquet.

Thank you Venus & Marion for a very enjoyable Wimbledon Final.


Ciao for Now.
Maria

Live Earth

7-7-07

What's Your Impact?

Resign

I Am So Devastated & Sad

Toto, Totie Floatie, The Totster, Totie FloatStuff, ToFuzz, has passed away. She was my favorite girl Brunner cat. She was The Queen. She was approaching 20 and died in her sleep.

The devasting part of it is, that it more than likely happened days ago. They found her under the TV cabinet today, one of her favorite places to sleep. I do not remember the last time I saw her up and about. We all have been so focused on Zoey, who got hit by a car and broke his elbow. I remember seeing her "sleeping" under the cabinet on Monday. I was there on Sunday but I can't remember seeing her. This is making me so sad. I cry & cry.

She was so damn fuzzy! Her top part of her head was simply amazing. I would put my fingers in it and say "I lost my fingers in your fluzz". (fluffy fuzz) She was the first cat I had ever seen lay on her belly with her legs straight out in back. The only other... my Obie. I will now think of her always when he does it. She had the cutest way of laying with her arms straight out crossed, like the Queen she was. Sometimes a full crossing, other times, one hand on top of the other. She would adjust them... uncrossing, crossing, uncrossing, crossing, to get it just right. So regal, so elegant.

Oh Toto... I wish I could have seen you one last time.

The Queen is Gone.

I Held One

I went to the Apple Store to see the iPhone. It's so gorgeous! Absolutely incredible!

Oh to have money to spend on something I have no need for just because it's so cool !!!

Williams Sisters... What a Day!

First, Venus resumed her match from Saturday. Akiko Morigami (Japan) won the 2nd set and I believe served for the match. She also had many break points that she couldn't finish it off. Venus fought & fought and finally won the 3rd set & match. She plays Maria Sharapova in the QuarterFinals tomorrow. Of course, I would have preferred Akiko to win, but Venus' determination was great to see and she deserved to win.

Then Serena... she was playing Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia). She won the 1st set and was down 1-4 in the 2nd. She played very well and came back. Daniela was now serving at 5-5 when Serena got a major cramp/spasm in her left calf and goes down in major pain. "Oh my, she's out of the tournament" was on my mind and I imagine everyone else's mind, including Serena's. After medical treatment, the match continues. Daniela wins the game and then Serena manages to win the next. Tiebreaker next. Of course, Serena is severely hampered. Rain is looming. I believe she was down 1-4 in the tiebreaker. The rain begins... Serena's salvation.

I believe there was an 1 1/2 hour delay. She had both legs taped and was wearing crop pants. Daniela wins the tiebreaker... a third set! Well, guess what? Serena wins it and the match. Amazing! The hated rain, in this case, allowed Serena a chance to advance to the QuarterFinals. She fought hard & was rewarded.

I've said it before and will again... TENNIS IS AWESOME !!!