randomly snarky - … suzie austin’s personal blog

Shortly after moving to Virginia in 2001, I received a traffic ticket for speeding. I was doing 40 in a 30 on a boulevard I’d still argue should be marked 55 based on the traffic patterns. But I paid the fine and tried not to speed there again.

Sticking with the trend of relocation + ticket, I was lagged last night for turning at a red light apparently marked as No Turn on Red.

Between you and me, I’ve been turning on red at this light since early October. I guess the ticket was inevitable. But, I truly didn’t know the warning was posted, and confirmed on the way home tonight the sign is near impossible to see in the dark.

Here’s a bit of Colorado quirk: The ticket is a little over $100 and comes with 3 points. Yay. But, if I pay the ticket within 20 days, the cost drops closer to $70 and there won’t be points assessed. The "improper turn" offense will also convert to "broken headlamp." Huh?

Okay, Colorado. I’ll pay your ticket within 20 days. And I’ll fix that uh, headlamp problem, ASAP. Wink.

One year later and the holidays were still weird, but much better. I caught the spirit 2-3 days before Christmas. And now I’m sad it’s over – a good sign of life going on, right? Yadda, yadda.

The first Colorado Christmas turned out to be fairly amazing. I missed traveling and seeing even more friends and family. I missed the beach. Yes, I missed Dad too.

I was impossibly spoiled by family, friends and colleagues. No surprise, two of my favorite gifts are super nerdy – a Hello Kitty ring (me-ow), and a Star Wars pop-up book (the light sabers WORK!). And more to come thanks to gift certificates. Geez.

My gift-giving was fairly decent this year. I did however, neglect to volunteer over the holidays, and haven’t anywhere since moving out here. So I guess that’s my first official resolution for ‘09. I can’t believe we’re sliding into 2009…

Is it just me, or does $500 for 5 of these gummi bear lights seem reasonable? Okay, maybe not – but they would be an adorable addition to the rec room. Alas, the money is better spent on bills, savings and donations. Dammit. 

Because nothing says Happy Holidays like a little "oven lovin." I saw this site on Six’s blog and laughed, but actually have no desire to hang boobs from the tree. But if YOU need a special X-mas treat, they’re likely already taking orders for next year.

Apparently it’s not until you live or commute downtown that you truly experience the teeth-grinding ire of a jaywalker crossing your path.

I admit, I’ve done my share of jaywalking over the years. Not long after I moved to Denver I even asked a couple of colleagues walking back from lunch why we were stopping at the DO NOT WALK sign. I mean, c’mon, we have the right of way, don’t we?

No, Pedestrian, you do not have the right of way unless the sign says WALK.

My car weighs a couple of tons. I keep the brakes, tires and assorted fluids in good shape but that’s no guarantee I can turn the corner and stop when you pop in front of me. Oh, and your look of annoyance when I have to stop short makes you not only act like a dumbass, but look like one too. Freak. Dumbass freak.

Long time no see.

Shout out to the jackass spammers for the 915 mostly-junk comments I just flipped through. MovableType loves throwing the good stuff in with the bad, so I have to sift through them all.

HBO just did a coming-up-next promo via my DVR for Never Been Kissed (yes, I recorded this) and said it stars Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. But Luke Wilson isn’t in the movie.

My wireless network didn’t work tonight (well, this morning) and it took me 30 minutes to discover I’d turned off the radio on my laptop. I didn’t know that particular button even existed, and probably has for every wire-enabled laptop I’ve ever owned or used. Mildly disturbing.

We did a lot of touring today, all pretty close to home. I’m crushing on Colorado.

So, hello.

Long time no see.

Shout out to the jackass spammers for the 915 mostly-junk comments I just flipped through. MovableType loves throwing the good stuff in with the bad, so I have to sift through them all.

HBO just did a coming-up-next promo via my DVR for Never Been Kissed (yes, I recorded this) and said it stars Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. But Luke Wilson isn’t in the movie.

My wireless network didn’t work tonight (well, this morning) and it took me 30 minutes to discover I’d turned off the radio on my laptop. I didn’t know that particular button even existed, and probably has for every wire-enabled laptop I’ve ever owned or used. Mildly disturbing.

We did a lot of touring today, all pretty close to home. I’m crushing on Colorado.

So, hello.