Turn it to !!

2009-02-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

2009-01-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

I heart delicious Chelan apples!

2008-09-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

Our First Anniversary! at Lake Chelan

2008-09-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

2008-09-09T22:15:00.000-07:00

Go to this! Do it. Do it now.

2008-05-30T01:42:00.000-07:00

Cultivate & BBoy Peanut with
Massive Monkees presents
TINY TOONES
Benefit Jam & Shoe Drive
BBoy Session & Non-stop breaks
ONE BE LO. OHMEGA WATTS
CAN.U. ACTIVE.I.B. AWAKE
PRIME VII. JUMAKAE. MASSIVE MONKEES
World Famous Photographers
CHARLES PETERSON & STUART ISETT
MAY 31ST 7-11PM
316 3RD STREET SOUTH, RENTON WA

Movie-o-holic

2008-04-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Some people read books, some obsessively read music reviews or blogs or news sites, others drink a lot of wine--but me, I watch movies. They're my comfort food, my relaxation, my escapism. I like well-made movies, but I have a number of guilty pleasures as well (but I won't tell you about those, otherwise known as chick-flicks). I just checked my netflix account and realized I've watched quite a few movies over the past few months for someone as rediculously busy as I am. Sometimes on a busy week I'll watch a half hour of one before bed. As such, I've downed a lot of flicks. Here they are, with their relative star ratings if your looking for something to watch.

(I'm waiting for my portfolio to download in the midst of a busy week, so no explanations of summaries will follow. Too bad)

From most recent to last:

Castle in the Sky: 5 stars!

Network: 5

Shine: 4 (because of the guy from pirates of the Caribbean)

The Deer Hunter: 5 (because I have a crush on a 70 year old man--Christopher Walken)

Grave of the Fireflies: 5

The Pianist: 2

Soylent Green: 1

Shindler's List: 4 (yes, this is the first time I've seen it!)

Ran: 1 (but Matt says "5")

Full Metal Jacket: 4

The Source: 3

Run Lola Run: 2 (way more lame than I recall from high school)

The Devil and Daniel Johnston: 5

Fahrenheit 451: 2

Trekkies: 2

Paradise Lost: 3

Ghandi: 4

American History X: 3

Empire of the Sun: 5

Rivers and Tides: 4

Rabbit-Proof Fence: 5

Amores Perros: 4

THX 1138: 4

Munich: 5

Ok, there you go. Now--go rent.

Birthday plans

2008-04-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the official birthday. I got up early, did homework, and then decided to treat myself to a high fat morning pastry! Hooray!

I went to school, and spent the entire day struggling with classes and homework, and basically rethinking my entire decision to switch to an art major. 2D design and architectural drawing are both proving to be more mathematical than I am capable of--not to mention the math courses I am currently failing. Plus, 2D emphasizes absolute prefectionism (as does all other art courses), which I've spent some time trying to get over in my life--and now it's back! It's ok, it's gonna be ok. That's what my male teacher said when I had a female tear breakdown when calculating angles, and thus in classic male 'freakout over unknown female tears' style, he did the rest of my homework for me. Maybe this will work out.

Anyhow, I'm chalking it up to something hormonal and a day full of work on my birthday. To compensate for my lousy work filled day, my wonderful husband took me to dinner. And he didn't even complain when I made the hostess switch us to better seats. And it was quite a lovely warm day, and I did spend lunch out on the beautiful terrace of a new coffee shop discovered on the canal in Fremont.

But in my birthday obsession (I'm from one of those "birthday families"--you know the ones) I've declared today my Faux-Birthday instead, because I don't like crying on my birthday. I think the husband is a little nervous, because I'm such a big birthday person (he's not)--he's afraid I'm going to insist on Birthday Week or something, and he'll have to keep topping it every year, eventually turning things into Birthday Year. But I wouldn't go that far because I'm not sure my body would thank me for frosting bedecked morning pastries every day for a year. Or would it...mmmm...

So far I've done nothing but get a free pedicure today, and watched a little Martha. M is coming home from work soon, bearing gifts for Faux-Birthday. My request was an expensive night at 'Chez M'. My genius chef of a husband will be slaving away in the kitchen all day preparing me my favorite meals of his. woohoo! We even talked about going out later to see my favorite live performance of all time--Ghostland Observatory, playing at the showbox. Now all I need is for the rain to stop, and I'll be in Faux-Birthday heaven!

I turned off the Martha Stewart Show

2008-04-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Because she just answered a reader from "Or-eh-gon"

(Never mind what I'm doing sitting at home on a friday afternoon watching Martha in the first place. It's not your place to question faux-birthday activities)

Again?

2008-04-01T23:17:00.001-07:00

It's happening again! I'm getting older. And this time I'm not entering the metaphysical idea of my late 20's--I'm really there. So there it is. On Thursday I'll be 27. I'm in my late 20's. It's been said.

We've all heard this song a bit now, and it's not much a perfect metaphor for a birthday, but it reminded me to look back over this year anyhow. I went from a horrible break-up and a lonely singleness, a reconciliation, planning a wedding in three months, a marriage forged, a honeymoon, moving into a new house, and now almost an entire year of school for both of us. And that isn't counting actually figuring out how to be married. Damn.

Anyhow, I haven't seen the video to this song until swiping it up from Rachel's blog tonight. I think this video is supersweet! So therefore postable as my birthday treat to you! (We missed him in Seattle this year.)

Ok 27, here I come.

Art School Confidential

2008-03-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? I switched my major to art. Visual communications to be exact. That's design. I still have to actually apply to the highly competitive program, but I finally made the mental decision, and started my basic art courses.

These are my first art classes ever--which seems a funny thing to say for someone who has just viciously thrown all her Fabergé eggs in an art major basket.

In all my 432 slow drawn out years of attempting to receive an undergraduate diploma, I have been on the english major track. And now I am thrust into a very strange world of underage art kids. I'm not so sure what to make of my new 2 year future existence.

English kids are weird; they're usually prone to depression, binge drinking, anxiety, and sexual struggles. And the rest are obsessed with writing the next LOTR while wearing an elvish outfit in their mother's basement.

But art kids are way stranger. I'm not quite sure how to categorize them yet, but I feel worlds away (But I fit right in with the above categories?). Perhaps it's something to do with me being a good 10 years older than most of them, yet being grouped in with them; these skinny-pants-wearing-interpretive-dance-doing-over-privileged-white-misunderstood-finding themselves-through-naked-lady-drawing-no-wait-Christian-school-alternative-Jesus- interpretations-18-year-olds are apparently my peers. Hmmm...I'll keep investigating my new world and report back soon. I totally wrote this in my sketchbook while smoking behind the cafeteria.

Why then the dramatic major switch, you ask? In a brief sentence, I grew up as an artist, but just never knew it till now. I'm embracing my misunderstood inner me.

Thus, spring break is over.

Jeff Tweedy cries a lot

2008-03-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently moved (sniff) to the far-far-away land of big and bigger (that's Texas). I miss her, but I keep up with her blog "momentary trace" which I have newly linked in the "real live friends" section.

I was reading through her posts this morning and found this one below. It's an article by Jeff Tweedy discussing the links between migraines, depression, anxiety, creativity, pain medication, and the cycle of pain identities. I myself have dealt with many of the above issues, and found that I resonated much with the internal expressions of pain through external suffering portions. Anyhow, as most of my tiny-tiny readership has related to me that you struggle with those issues as well, I thought it would be an interesting link to read. Plus you're all Jeff Tweedy lovers, and it has song links (ooooh).

Don't forget to check out Rachel's Texas blog. It's all about grits and big hats. Maybe.

And check out the article link here

Photos of Friends

2008-03-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just did some photos of friends yesterday. I hope they don't mind me publishing, but I think she's a darling enough pregnant lady that she won't. She is also a dancer.

2008-03-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

We brake for sun

2008-03-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

Did you type this long blog address just for this?

2008-03-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm on spring break! woohoo!

From Kim...who proposes to try this at my birthday party.

2008-03-14T13:48:00.001-07:00

2008-02-25T22:39:00.000-08:00

Who stole our Iron Maiden song?

2008-02-19T21:14:00.000-08:00

What are you searching for?

2008-02-19T17:43:00.000-08:00

Top Seven Most Awesome Google Searches that led HERE!

1. "Australian Stereotypes" (6 times this month)
2. "How they hanging Australian saying"
3. "Eye Patch Photos"
4. "Flower Warmth List"
5. "Dissertation on Ballroom Dancing"
6. "Heartichoke Personal Cuisine"
7. "Pink Sluts" (my personal favorite)

Did some of these phrases really show up next to each other on my blog somewhere?

Man, how disappointed was the 'pink sluts' guy when he showed up here.

Radioactive Man

2008-02-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

putting ordinary bloggers to shame.

Check it

Improv Everywhere

2008-02-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

Check out all their cool stuff at Improveverywhere.com!

Maddy and Alaska

2008-02-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

CULTIVATE @ Harambee

2008-02-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

Cultivate

2008-02-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

2008-02-17T16:34:00.000-08:00

2008-02-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

Metal Forever

2007-12-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

From: Pastor/friend who hasn't completely come out of the metal closet. Best. Video. Ever.

Your city's a sucker, my city's a creep

2007-12-13T11:50:00.000-08:00

Farewell to my lovely new/old Australian friends Dave and Tova! It was great having you here, and playing a bit of tour-guide. As well as going to dinner at 5 Spot with your wonderful hosts Infamous Jen and husband. Too bad we missed the underground, and I missed the bar-crawl! Have fun in NY and Chicago! Update travel blog often! Especially when you get to Graceland. Don't forget photos!

**********
To the rest: yesterday we hit Alki, Gasworks, Crave on Capitol Hill for lunch (pomegranate Mimosas-yum!), missed the underground tour, and hit the new sculpture park, where we saw Clark Kent.
**********

As soon as I can I will be posting some very exciting clips from my "Australians in America" documentary. You know which clips I'll be posting.

Do you guys have any pictures you can email me from the journey?

Good luck on your US Adventure!

--Heart!

Ride the SLUT!

2007-12-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Everyday I drive to school, and get stuck in awful traffic when I'm just about there--those damned little sorbet trolleys making me late almost every morning ("shouldn't you just get up earlier?" Shut up! My whole commute is already in complete darkness!)

Right at the south tip of Lake Union they've unveiled an army of tiny pink, purple, and orange "streetcars", which will apparently take mass amounts of commuters about 20 feet in lighting speed time. This morning on the radio I heard some people having a contest; they were trying to race the streetcar to work--running along side it, not stopping as it did to pick people up. The SLUT just barely pulled ahead. (oh, Seattle.)

The best part is, the big bad city of Seattle accidentally named them the "South Lake Union Trolleys". Hence, the S.L.U.T.--a name which caught fire like an abandoned SoHo Warehouse. The neighboring coffee shop busted out a line of t-shirts that say "Ride The SLUT!" with a cute picture of a trolley on it. They've sold out of t-shirts. I'm definitely putting an order in for the next batch.

This is when the city suddenly changed the name to "South Lake Union STREETCAR". Not because they don't like SLUT, they say, but because trolley sounds so antiquated--and a pink streetcar that goes 20 feet is very modern.

People apparently enjoy the shirts for a variety of political reasons, but mostly because of Seattle's ridiculous transit politics in such an apparently progressive, environmentally conscious city. Amen. Now, you damned pink SLUTS, get out of my way and let me drive my non-carpooling, non-bus riding ass 2 hours each day through Seattle traffic in peace!

Read about it here!

Get your t-shirt here!

My brother; an update

2007-12-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

He is doing well! He sent me a photo. I think the mugshot pose is supposed to look "tough" This is his recovery face. I've most definitely got to get out and find a skull and crossbones eye patch.

Merry Outkast Christmas

2007-12-12T17:41:00.001-08:00

We Heart Snorman

2007-12-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

We just spent a wonderful evening eating a bunch of good food and drinking wine from Greenfresh, and hangin' out with the kids from Finding-Nowhere, and their pet snowman, Snorman. Check out the pics to come soon over at their blog!

And, I must highly recommend viewing the Charlie Brown video--it's not what you think.

My 16 year old brother is high

2007-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today I've spent the entire day, in my pajamas, working on my fiction final for class--and WAITING. Waiting to get a call from my mother, to make sure my baby brother is o.k. He went in for reconstructive face surgery at 1:00pm (see below post). My mother called me at 6:00pm to report that he is finally out, and doing alright. Though, they haven't yet been able to see him, as he is still in the recovery room waiting for his first experience of anethesia to wear off, rendering him sleepy and confused, with a fat face.

I feel the first worries that a mother must feel. Poor baby! What if he wakes up scared and confused and no one is around to comfort him!

His cheek was fractured in 4 places, and some of the soft surrounding tissue is dead. They removed the bones from his sinuses, and patched all that up. Something in his eye was damaged, but they think they were able to fix it, but we've got to wait and see. His jaw also broke in some places, some muscle tearing away from it. There may be some nerve damage, which may result in a numb face. Also some tooth damage, though hopefully that can be fixed.

But I think he is doing well, and I may try to go see him tonight, though he'll have morphine coursing through his veins instead of blood, so conversations about things other than rainbows or dragons may be difficult. I might go keep my mother company.

But for now, I shall continue the lonely life of the fiction writer, in her pajamas, drinking too much coffee, alone. Husband is at some manish birthday party (something about nerdy German board games and dark beers). And the Australians are out having a good time at the KEXP show at the Showbox. And my friend is sitting at home husbandless, wondering why I don't come over. Ah, damn school, and perfectionism. Hopefully I'll be done soon.

My poor giant baby brother

2007-12-07T23:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight we were out to dinner when I missed calls from my mother. My little brother is in the hospital. The sixteen year old dare-devil lookalike, who has grown twice my size, decided to get in a mountain biking accident. On a shaky jump landing, his handle bars decided to pummel his high cheek bones, shattering them in 4 places, shoving them up through his sinuses, just missing his eye, but causing it to bleed none the less. Poor little boy. He's so big now, but still looks like the sweet little toddler I spent hours torturing.

We just got back from visiting him; he's rather doped up on morphine, which I think makes 16 year old boys very happy. He looked tired, with a saggy eye and a non-existent cheek. It looked like it had been deflated. He'll go into a 3 hour surgery tomorrow. Hopefully it will be easy. His friends took pictures of him being put into an ambulance, wish I had some! He's proud of his tough pictures, he wouldn't mind me posting them! His face will be in recovery for a month. I think I'm getting him and eye patch for Christmas.

It's true!

2007-12-05T13:50:00.000-08:00

Don't get too excited--I'm not really back to blogging. But I figure I owed it to the once-loyal readership to give an update. As I recently tisked Mrs. Doviegrace for having a last blog date of--shock--November 14th, she had the courage and the strength to point out the elephant in the room. So here it is, in full hypocritical glory and neon lights---August 21th! This is the date of my last blog! Gasp! That's something close to 100 blog-free days! Oh the hypocrisy! So, this one's for you, D.G., so that the next time smugly check the date at the top of my blog and then click away even before the photos load, you will feel pleasantly surprised, rewarded, and satisfied!

The awful irony is, however, that this will be somewhat uneventful, rambling, self-pitying post, with little to no follow up. Sorry kids. However, take heart! I have 6,968 plans of things to accomplish over the 3 week holiday break (which sounds reasonable, right?), and starting one of those cutesy married people blogs is looming in the low hundreds on the to-do list. Relatively high priority, I'd say, if you consider the context of thousands. So, grasp your hands together in anticipation, I may unveil a new blog, since we two are one now. I'm currently accepting submissons for clever names; please apply.

Oh ya! That's right! That's why I quit blogging! Let's see, how did it go? Ah, yes:

1. With the grand help of my mother and the A-for-effort help of my now-husband (just kiddin' darling...!) I planned a wedding for hundreds of attendees.

2. In 3 months!

3. While working full time

4. And applying for schools

5. And then getting married! It's true! It happened!

6. Going on a honeymoon

7. Feeling the need to drop out of society for a time after being bombarded by months and months of social over-stimulation

8. Moving in to the husband's house while starting full-time jobs the day back from the honeymoon--yes, the actual same day we got back--we came home from the airport late at night to have my parents help us put a bed into the house so we could be rested for the next day at work. Hooray for not having to zip to sleeping bags together and huddle on the floor! Though, that would be truer to the "nest" reference given to the newly married.

9. And starting full-time undergrad and graduate (the hub) school

10. While trying to remember how to be a student after 6 years of school free life

11. While staying committed to past commitments

12. While learning how to be MARRIED!

13. All the while living out of a suitcase, and thousands of cardboard boxes in the garage!

So, I totally deserved a blog break! So that's my life over the past 6 months. It's been biz-E. Ok, but the fabulous news is that I think we're finally starting to get the study routine down, which is hard after you're used to spare time! The better news is TODAY WAS MY LAST FINAL!!! Hooray! Except I have a few extended projects due on monday, but dammit, I'm nearly done! Which will promptly lead to a 3 week Christmas vacation!!! In which I plan to:

1. Unpack my entire house, making repairs and painting all the walls, refinishing loads of furniture, floors, etc. That's not too much, is it?

2. Get a Christmas tree and decorate for my first married Christmas! Maybe I'll get cute matching t-shirts about that too. Christmas gift anyone?

3. Get those damned thank-you notes out from the wedding.

4. Catch up with all over our friends and family! With 21 nights of dinners and parties and lunches and forcing them to help me paint my walls and...

5. Damn that crafty instinct--I've again talked myself in to the attempt of homemaking all Christmas gifts. So, watch out for your gift in the mail! It will probably be a Starbucks card!

6. Getting all schedules, books, and life set-ups in place for the start of next quarter.

7. And Last, but absolutely not least, I am frankly quite excited to ACTUALLY SEE MY HUSBAND! Since we're always at school and work, our only newlywed time is relegated to rolling into the house after long-ass days, eating some leftover pizza together while half asleep and then pushing all the dirty laundry out of the way so we can roll into bed next to a pile of boxes to get some quality sleep, all 5 hours of it!

8. And last last, what about that newlywed blog! Where are your name submissions?

Wow, do I sound stressed or what? Maybe that's why I haven't been posting. But I have hope for the future! School is hard, but wonderful. Marriage is hard, but fantastic. Work is just hard. But I get free wine, so that's alright.

Alright little rambler, off to finish last bits of homework!

2007-08-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

2007-08-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

Weddings

2007-07-29T00:07:00.001-07:00

You and me and everyone I know is getting married in the next two months. It's a crazy time. Here are some photos from my dear friend's Than and Rachel's wedding today. I attended with a few other dear friends. It was a wonderful time. Though, I think google is broken, again, so hopefully you can see all the photos. If only 4 show, I'll repost later. Otherwise, it may be showing the same photos 10 times over on here!

2007-07-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

Good old father's day on the mountain

2007-06-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

Oh, it's the family! Yes, I do have some. For father's day weekend we headed up to Mt. Rainier to hike. Unfortunately, we're not that hardcore, so as we drove up to a cold, windy, rainstorm (somehow I was picturing sunny springtime wild flower warmth, damn) that quickly turned snow storm at higher elevations, we quickly chickened out. But we did still make quite a few stops where we ran around madly getting soaked but having a fabulous time. The sun came out briefly near the end when we reached one of the first little mountain peak, and I a ran out to snap a few photos. Down at the bottom you will see the sunny snow pics. Find the one where the black clouds sweep in after five minutes to eat the sun. Nevertheless, it was great fun. And here are a bunch of cutesy family photos, and an excess of nature shots.

Family pics!

2007-06-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

My sister and I found a little ice cave.

This picture just made me notice how much my brother and I look alike!

Mum and brother, who turns 16 this week!

2007-06-18T00:14:00.000-07:00

Grandpa

Lunch under a tree canopy to avoid the downpour.

2007-06-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

The same waterfall, over and over again.

2007-06-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

2007-06-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

Can batter you to death against the rocks. Guess I shouldn't have gone down there.

2007-06-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

Vegas, here I come

2007-06-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

So, I guess I casually mentioned that I'm getting married. !!! And so I am. What is all this, you say? Well, we've come a long way.

Our engagement became official a few weeks ago, but I thought I'd try to catch the majority of family up before I broadcasted live to the world. Pardon my rush to put it up here without telling each of you personally, but, well, you all know how I like to post pictures.

And, as I'm finding out, engagements mean one thing; no, not marriage, but becoming a social whore. Meaning, not only do I want to have a fabulous lunch with each and every friend and family member to tell them the news, but each and every friend and family member wants to have a fabulous lunch AND dinner with us, woohoo! The only trouble is, my schedule is becoming just that, a real schedule. Where I pencil in dinner dates and wedding plans, and when people ask if they can hear the engagement story, I have to first whip out the pocket schedule, ponder it for a bit while tapping it with a pencil, and then say "hmmmm, looks like I'm all booked these next two weeks, but I have a 9:30 pm slot open for 13 minutes in August if you'd like to book that".

When hanging out with 138 different friends turns up overwhelmingly at the top of your overcrowded to-do list, you know you've either become a young Hollywood star, or a bride-to-be. But it has been quite wonderful, taking in parties and lunches and catching up with old friends. It's amazing how exciting everyone gets over weddings.

But, it gets a little overwhelming at times, and I end up feeling like a jerk, being so popular and all. I end up having to give the "you've been nexted!" to certain friends on overcrowded days, or turn down well-meaning well-wishers because I simply don't have another minute to be social, because I still haven't had time to shower in the last week.

So apologies to all those dear friends who've made offers of congratulatory coffee dates that I haven't had time for. I'm simply too popular! But we've always known that...

Ah, but wedding planning. It's like entering a whole new world. Not only do I live my already-too-busy regular life, but then I have to use all my spare time next to dinner dates to ponder really important things, like monogrammed napkins and paper doilies. All of which I'm totally sure I'll have at my wedding, by the way. So please stop by.

So get ready for 'wedding planning blog 2007'! You've always wished you could join "The Knot", or think about which is better (cream, eggshell, or ivory? I just can't decide!). So now you can totally be bombarded by a living and breathing bridezilla blog. Come on, you know you've always wanted to keep one of those on your blog roll. It's your guilty pleasure, I know it.

Anyhow, for the short of the engagement story for those still dying to know about all things wedding; Matt planned a lovely weekend down to a familiar secret spot on the California coast. It included, but was not limited to: Harley bikers, Meth addicts, and lock outs. No, really. And the rest was fantastically magical, and I was thoroughly impressed by his planning skillz. It was wonderful. Maybe I'll divulge a few more details next time. Were shooting for September of this year (ahhhh--that's less than 3 months away!!!). It's no October. It will be much better.

But this week I've been sick (again, I know. Weak little immune system. Or too much wedding planning), and so I shall quick make haste to bed, where I will fast close my eyes to be awash in white, and ivory, and eggshell linens, and something beaded, and some cubic zirconium tiaras, and silk flowers, and....

Maybe I will go elope in Vegas after all.

Ok...so now it's realllly official.

2007-05-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, that would be a real engagement ring!

D!

2007-05-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

M!

2007-05-29T23:44:00.001-07:00

So, it's official...

2007-05-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

Soooo, I guess I can officially mention that Matt and are are back together, after quite some time apart. I suppose at this point the story is ours, and sharing personal details are for personal times! But I figure since Beth cornered me in the ladies room this morning to see if the scoop was official, I guess it can go public! So, since reminiscing is my thing this evening, here are some of my favorite pictures from the years past in our relationship. Oh yes, that weird blond phase and all.

2007-05-14T00:08:00.000-07:00

2007-05-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

2007-05-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

Old Stuff

2007-05-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

So many changes occurring these days. I was prompted to look back through old photos, as I am often prone to do. Here are a few I recently scanned in from my grandma.

My late grandfather and often surrogate father and I.
We often stopped to check out these sheep. I miss him.

Ooh, I was skinny once! Oh to be 18 again!

My grandmother and I. I celebrated mother's day with her today!

Seattle

2007-05-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

Just found this. Makes the city actually look kind of large. This was taken near Alki last summer, on an adventure with Kayla.

Cinco De Mayo: Let's get wasted!!!!

2007-05-06T01:08:00.000-07:00

"What are you doing for Cinco De Mayo?" asks Everyone.

"Nothing" I reply.

"Why not?" inquires Everyone.

"Ummmm...because I'm not Mexican. Nor do I live in Mexico. Nor do I know that much about it."

I'm gonna send $5.00 to the first celebrator that can, without doing a google search, tell me what Cinco De Mayo is a celebration of.

I think it's another dumb thing that Americans do. We steal other people's holidays, commercialize them to make a buck, and then honor them in celebration by getting totally wasted and puking all over our taco meal or sombrero. And about 95% of us have no idea what the holiday is even about. This behavior somewhat puzzles me. So I took it to Wikipedia to find out what the deal is.

"Cinco de Mayo ("The Fifth of May" in Spanish) is primarily a regional, and not a federal, holiday in Mexico; the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. It commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

However, the Mexican victory at Puebla only delayed the French invasion of Mexico City, and a year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico; Maximillian and the French were eventually defeated and expelled in 1867, five years after the Battle of Puebla.

A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish).

Mexico

Cinco de Mayo is viewed as a relatively minor holiday in most of Mexico, and it is observed, if at all, in varying degrees.^[1]^[2] The holiday is celebrated vigorously in Puebla, Puebla, where the battle was fought, and throughout the state of Puebla; celebration is more limited or non-existent in the rest of the country.^[3] For the most part the celebrations combine food, drink, music and dancing.

United States

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond its significance in Mexico.^[4] Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration advertising Mexican products and services with an emphasis on beverages, foods, and music.^[5] The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican descent, much like St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, or Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese descent, respectively. As a result, the holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origins, particularly in cities and states where there is a large population of Mexican origin. Although it is no more an officially-recognized holiday than St. Patrick's Day, many cities with large populations of Mexican origin honor the day as a symbolic representation of Mexican pride and as a representation of a culture that blends both Mexican and American roots. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgin de Guadalupe, as well as prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, such as César Chávez.

The reference to the Battle of Puebla is seen as a symbolic cultural link to those who had to overcome insurmountable odds while facing adversity. In neighborhoods such as East Los Angeles, the Mission District of San Francisco, East San Jose and elsewhere throughout the Southwest, Cinco de Mayo is most accurately characterized as a day of celebration to honor a culture that fuses Mexican heritage and American life experience. To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate students about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight the Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles near Olvera Street.

Alright, awesome. If you're Mexican, living in the US, and you know and care about your history and roots in political Mexico, then by all means, celebrate! But if you're an American without any Mexican friends or ties to Mexico, and you've no idea what Cinco De Mayo actually represents, than keep your overindulgent Tequila shooting behavior to regular Friday nights, and try not to blame it on a holiday you can't pronounce! Unless tortillas are on sale, of course.

(And no, I don't celebrate the Guinness national holiday, I mean, St. Patrick's Day either).

Look on

2007-04-23T01:42:00.000-07:00

That was a long and rambling post. So to make up for it, here's a short and sweet one, directing you toward a master of word. I'm sure he does not ramble. It's a fun site. See if you can find all the hidden homepage fun....here.

Two time high school drop-out post high school drops out of college; soon to be re-admitted post drop-out

2007-04-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

In my favorite word borrowed from Infamous Jen's husband, "Woot."

I've made it into college, again! Thanks to all of my dear friends, ahem, professional colleagues, who labored to help me get in by writing lovely recommendations! I've not only been accepted, but received a scholarship as well for my "outstanding academic and community achievements".

My first reaction was to jump around in excitement. But my second reaction was to shrug it off, dismissing it as something that happens in thousands of silly 18-year-olds lives everyday, and I better have gotten in or I'd be dumber than a high school kid. I rounded it off further by attributing the quick decision for admission surely to the lack of competition. How many other 26 year olds were applying for a transfer to this private school? I must be the only one, and they had a quota to fill, so it was a quick decision. Plus, even if they didn't, and I was denied, I didn't really try that hard anyway. I procrastinated. (Can you guess why?)

But, as I'm learning from another self-competitive friend, this is a reaction to be chastised. So instead of saying all that, I'm going to remember that I did work incredibly hard to get in, and I was actually admitted, with a scholarship to boot, so...hooray! I accomplished something difficult that I set out to do, and I'm excited. Not bad for someone who, over the span of 10 years, has managed a quadruple major in 'drop-out'.

People often find my multiple drop-out status surprising once they know me. I was never much one for school. Not that I wasn't good at it, in fact I usually received very high grades (except in the dreaded math, but more on that another day.) It was more the conceptual idea of school that I didn't like. I thought that putting a bunch of kids of the same age together in tiny rooms during early mornings or hot afternoons, blabbing boring repetitions at them from aging school teachers of a past generation, and then basing their entire worth on the ability to recall every detail in a single slot of 50 minutes with a number 2 pencil, was, in fact, absolutely ridiculous.

I was sure there was better ways to learn. Ways that took into account each individuals learning style, talents, and progression. Just because someone isn't excellent in testing skills does not make them an idiot. I knew plenty of brilliant D average students.

And I was definitely sure there were better ways to learn than in an environment that resembled daily gang warfare. I thought kids were stupid, and cliques were stupid. I thought the constant degradation of peers was stupid. And I thought the adults who put us all into this situation purposely were stupid. Especially because they were so shocked that such a system could create drop-outs and dangerous, traumatizing, social dynamics.

And really, what 16 year old isn't smarter than everyone else?

WARNING: EXTREME DIGRESSION IN NEXT SECTION

The day that solidified my position on school-hate came when some tall, beefy, Hawaiin guy named Mark, who happened to be, of course, one of the "most popular kids in school", did something I found incredibly juvenile. Not that this was the first time I'd seen something juvenile happen at school, but I decided to make sure it was the last.

Mark was, of course, some fabulous football captain. I thought people that could hit other people hard and then go shopping at the mall for new Abercrombie wear in a single day did not deserve some kingly status. So I didn't like him (that, and I was soooo punk rock). But there he was, walking around being a jerk, being popular. He was mean to everyone, and frequently tormented me because I dressed differently (dude, thrift store cardigans seriously are cool--haven't you ever seen a Nirvana video??).

This day, however, he had picked other sources of entertainment. We were in the same photography class (But I was in it because I'm an artist--he was just looking for an easy A---soooooo passe). We had a "field trip around campus to take pictures" day (otherwise known as lazy teacher wanted to go smoke weed in his car or go home for a long lunch). Mark decided it was hilarious to go around trying to snap shots of girls asses as they walked by. Most notably the ones that nobody really wanted a picture of. Him and his buddies giggled a lot at the humiliation of lesser attractive girls while high-fiving each other at their genius.

During this time, some teacher poked his head out of class to see what the ruckus was about. But seeing the "football boys", he sort of just laughed and waved his hand, gave a slight admonission so nobody could say he didn't, then went back to his business.

This was the day I left school early to tell my parents I was dropping out. This was the most ridiculous display of behavior I had ever seen. And it wasn't the first time.

It's not because I hate football (well...maybe), or thought I was too cool (hmm...wait), but simply because there was a system designed here that specifically encouraged this behavior over actual learning.

DIGRESSION SOMEWHAT OVER

I know I had a lot more to learn about human/sin nature, but I still feel pretty firm that the present day public school system is silly. I'm not one of those "pull your kids out and boycott the school" people, as that doesn't help improve what we've got, but I'm still not sure why were so obsessed with this failing model.

So, I dropped out after my sophomore year of high school. When I explained my feelings and theories to my parents about why I needed to quit, they were actually supportive of this decision (rad!), which was somewhat surprising to me. So they gave me the stamp of approval.

I spent this year designing a new system of schooling. I bought my own learning materials, and began schooling myself. Pretty fancy ideals, and slightly impressive! But, being 16 got the better of me, and I spent more time doing 16 year old stuff (social social!) than actually working on my "better world" project. And I decided it wasn't quite as glamorous to be home with your parents everyday, and I missed all that social crap I swore I hated. I missed my friends.

Yep, I went back. This time in another city. I made a bunch of great friends. I also found a boyfriend (sooooo punk rock). My parents were definitely not fond of these new friends, or the boyfriend. Maybe because they don't want to Save the Queen. Anyhow, there is a big long story to it (for telling in another life), but they decided they would strongly encourage me to drop out again. Just shy of graduating. Ooh, is that ever a complicated story. But suffice to say, I'm an A-average double time high school drop-out!

I prefer to refer to it as a G.E.D. winner! And oh the stories I could tell about my GED graduation. Ah, things close to my heart, Pandora's Box. anther time.

So even though I never made it through high school, and then went to 3 different colleges 'finding myself' or something, I've finally made it back after quite some time away! Hooray for sticking to goals! Hooray for getting accepted! Hooray for re-enslaving myself to The Man, and The System! I can't tell you how excited I am. Really!

Blog? What's that?

2007-04-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I know, I keep making promises to write and then rather slacking off. This has kind of taken a back seat to life lately, as these things seem to eventually go. It's been a busy month.

But I thought, really, to write short boring ones, it doesn't take much, so I'm going to try to update short thoughts. For myself, I suppose.

My two recommendations of the day:

I think I may have already mentioned this a bit back, but I'm listening to it right now, and remembering the sheer awesomeness that is Ghostland Observatory. Most super live performance ever. Think sassy soul singer trapped in the body of a native, and the band of rock. So if you ever get a chance to see them, do. I believe they are playing at Sasquatch, Seattlites.

Recommendation 2: Smoke Signals, by Sherman Alexie.

But it's not quite as good, unless you've seen Ghostland Observatory. So watch, and then go listen. This will bring you awesome super sparkle points, and you'll be glad you did.

And this is why the movie and the band together equal awesome.

blogging

2007-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

So, this new week of blogging only means 1 thing. I've cleaned up and organized my disastrous desk so that I can easily fit my computer there. If you go back and look through post times, you will see a distinct pattern. By this time pattern you can track how often I clean. There are times when I write consistently for a month or so, and then I stop for 2. This designates a few weeks of me managing to keep my desk spaces tidy, and then how long I ignored its growing, mountainous disaster. Along with my unpaid bills, unopened mail.... Naughty. Tisk. But hey, it totally fits my profile.

Oh those darn personality tests again...

2007-04-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. Most of you, who aren't INFJ, are totally sick of all the talk about this. But I ran across it in conversation with a friend today, and was browsing around about the types again. I guess I find it interesting because of how peculiarly accurate it is, and I'm wondrously amazed each time I read it again. I think it also interests me because it makes me feel less crazy. My friend who recently took the test said she cried when she first read her type because she realized this is who she is, no matter how many people frown upon certain traits of hers. She realized she was not a failure, but that there were many others like her.

Anyhow, I'm sure I'm getting a bit grand here, but I thought I'd share. This is from the meyers briggs test. A bit long, but if you're cruising around blogs killing time, might as well read. And take it yourselves, if you've the time. It's quite amusing. And eerily accurate. Does that mean I've been put in a box?

As an INFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.

INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types.

INFJs place great importance on havings things orderly and systematic in their outer world. They put a lot of energy into identifying the best system for getting things done, and constantly define and re-define the priorities in their lives. On the other hand, INFJs operate within themselves on an intuitive basis which is entirely spontaneous. They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions. This is something of a conflict between the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized as other Judging types tend to be. Or we may see some signs of disarray in an otherwise orderly tendency, such as a consistently messy desk.

INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them. As an extreme example, some INFJs report experiences of a psychic nature, such as getting strong feelings about there being a problem with a loved one, and discovering later that they were in a car accident. This is the sort of thing that other types may scorn and scoff at, and the INFJ themself does not really understand their intuition at a level which can be verbalized. Consequently, most INFJs are protective of their inner selves, sharing only what they choose to share when they choose to share it. They are deep, complex individuals, who are quite private and typically difficult to understand. INFJs hold back part of themselves, and can be secretive.

But the INFJ is as genuinely warm as they are complex. INFJs hold a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring. INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone. They are very sensitive to conflict, and cannot tolerate it very well. Situations which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger. They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress.

Because the INFJ has such strong intuitive capabilities, they trust their own instincts above all else. This may result in an INFJ stubborness and tendency to ignore other people's opinions. They believe that they're right. On the other hand, INFJ is a perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential. INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments. They have strong value systems, and need to live their lives in accordance with what they feel is right. In deference to the Feeling aspect of their personalities, INFJs are in some ways gentle and easy going. Conversely, they have very high expectations of themselves, and frequently of their families. They don't believe in compromising their ideals.

INFJ is a natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective. They make loving parents and usually have strong bonds with their offspring. They have high expectations of their children, and push them to be the best that they can be. This can sometimes manifest itself in the INFJ being hard-nosed and stubborn. But generally, children of an INFJ get devoted and sincere parental guidance, combined with deep caring.

In the workplace, the INFJ usually shows up in areas where they can be creative and somewhat independent. They have a natural affinity for art, and many excel in the sciences, where they make use of their intuition. INFJs can also be found in service-oriented professions. They are not good at dealing with minutia or very detailed tasks. The INFJ will either avoid such things, or else go to the other extreme and become enveloped in the details to the extent that they can no longer see the big picture. An INFJ who has gone the route of becoming meticulous about details may be highly critical of other individuals who are not.

The INFJ individual is gifted in ways that other types are not. Life is not necessarily easy for the INFJ, but they are capable of great depth of feeling and personal achievement.

Possible Career Paths for the INFJ:

Clergy / Religious Work
Teachers
Writers
Medical Doctors / Dentists
Alternative Health Care Practitioners, i.e. Chiropractor, Reflexologist
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Counselors and Social Workers
Musicians and Artists
Photographers
Child Care / Early Childhood Development

What's interesting is, these have all been my main career choices, and I have at some point and in some way tried to persue each of them.

It's my birthday today....

2007-04-04T00:37:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. I haven't posted recently, I know. It's been a busy month. But, look forward soon to many exciting....video posts! I got a video camera for the big b-day, so that instead or merely documenting interesting images in my life via photograph, I can capture
Every, Single, Moment,
of my entire life, and force you to share it with me.
And you thought the photos were enough.

As birthdays go, it's been a good one, though I'm starting to feel the age thing a little heavier every year. But a friend pointed out today that it's not so much that I've rounded the curve and begun hurdling headlong toward 30, but that I am still in the middle third of my twenties, officially "Mid-Twenties". I think I like that better. It's more glass half-full kind of thinking. I'm still not sure I'm yet thankful for it, but they tell me that one day soon I'll be more appreciative that every time I go out, even occasionally at the movie theater, I get carded. When I show them my old lady i.d., they usually roll it around for a good couple of minutes with the suspicion that it's a fake. Hooray for youthful appearance, I think...

Alright, as I'm officially no longer in my early twenties, I need to hurry off to bed to get a full nights sleep! Happy birthday to me!

O.M.G.

2007-03-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

So, being the fancy wine bar mistress that I am, my boss picked little old me to accompany him to "Taste Walla Walla", a winery tasting event showcasing over 50 wineries and wine makers from Walla Walla. Oh yes. All free. Did I also mention it was on the top of the Columbia Tower downtown? Yes that would be the 76th floor, in the private members only club! I forgot my camera (can you believe that?), but swiped some internet pics of the fantastic view!

View from the top!

View from the bottom!

View from...my private jet?

Ooh La La, the entry way! At the top of that staircase awaits over 50 wine makers all waiting to give me free glasses of all their different kinds of over-priced wines, lots of free exotic cheeses and fruits, and a bunch of fancy glass bottled Italian water. Yes, I am the princess, thank you. Plus, they all assume I'm someone important who may be interested in selling their wines (well, I guess I am, really), so they crown you with all kinds of princessy-ness.

It's the private lounge, yummy.

The main area for tasting.

And did I tell you about the bathrooms? The private rooms with floor to ceiling windows, exotic decor, and couches? Oh yes, peeing in front of the whole city is thrilling. And to top that off, my tipsy boss made me steal our glasses as keepsakes.

The only drawback to this fantastic time was how you could feel the building swaying in the wind. Which is a bit scary after a few glasses of wine, looking down over the edge, I must say.

Unfortunately, I had to take very tiny tastes of the hundreds of wines, because I actually had to go back and serve wine, but I went back much more a wine snob, I assure you.

Received: 1 preparation outline for dodgeball playoffs. From: The CAPTAIN

2007-03-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

A. Items to bring:
1 - Gym Shorts.
2 - Team Shirt
3 - Wristband(s)
4 - Headband/Bandanna
5 - Advil
6 - Water bottle

B. Pregame Mental Preparation
1 - Visualize your throws hitting knees, shins, and ankles.
2 - Visualize NOT throwing when the other team is all the way at their back line.
3 - Visualize throwing at people only after they are more than half-way to the center line.
4 - Visualize incoming throws you would want to catch (anything higher than thigh level and slow enough for you to feel comfortable catching it)
5 - Visualize incoming throws you want to dodge
6 - Visualize Victory

C. Pregame Physical Preparation
1 - No red meat for 24 hours prior to gametime
2 - No alcohol for 24 hours prior to gametime
3 - 1 quart of water the morning before, 2-4 before gametime
4 - 1 quart within 2 hours of gametime
5 - Powerbars, gatorade, anabolic steroids, HGH, whatever else you need. Remember, there's no drug testing in this league.
6 - Pregame stretching and throwing.

D. Pregame musical inspiration
1 - Nelly - #1
2 - Nelly - #1
3 - Nelly - #1
4 - Nelly - #1
5 - Nelly - #1

That should cover just about everything. This is it baby. The playoffs. Let's do it real big tonight and show people a level of dodgeball they have never SEEN!!! Its time to turn on that playoff switch and take our game up another notch.

-David

R.I.P. Angelica, the once trusty Celica

2007-03-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

Now that Angelica has been delivered to car heaven, or perhaps car hell (for her naughty and ill performance the last few months), I thought I would relate this nice story about her that I forgot to mention. I feel it really demonstrates my care for her.

"You know you need to clean your car out when...":

Setting:
Early a.m., curbside Harambee, downtown Renton, unloading extensive array of backpacks from my car that hold: my computer, my workout gear, my purse, my lunch bags, and I'm sure some other junk too.

Characters:
Myself: holding a lot of stuff

Nicely tailored business man: cell phone earpiece, latte in one hand, briefcase in another, kindly look upon his face.

Angelica the Celica: Full of junk, and more junk, looking like she could use a serious washing

Dialogue:

Angelica: "Waaaaash meeee" (in a whisper)

Man: (Stops to survey me, struggling to get all of my bags out of my car and slung around my shoulders) "You look like you live in your car."

Me: (Ummmm..is he trying to make friendly banter along the street in the early morning? Or is he just being a total jerk, commenting on how filthy a person I must be while on his way back to his sparkly Mercedes? I'll pretend it's just a conversation starting joke because I'm so cute) "Uh, ha ha.....Ya, I uh, practically do. Ha."

Man: "Ya, I myself once went through hard times like those." (Pauses, thoughtfully, to think of a reason why I must be living such a hard life as a homeless girl). "Are you a student?"

Me: (Rather offended that I've just realized he thinks I'm homeless, and is about to offer me a dollar cause I'm a cute, young, homeless girl. He's not trying to make witty banter.) "Uh, no, I'm not a student."

Man: (Thoughtfully pensive, stroking his chin, pondering how much change he has to offer me in my hard knock life situation) "Hmmm, yes I remember difficult times like that, having to sleep in my car. Well, good luck!" (A smile, a tip of his imaginary hat, and off he goes).

Me: (Am I dressed badly today? What a jerk! And I didn't even get a dollar!)

Angelica the Celica: "Vaccuuuuum meeee, clean me out, pleeease"

Well, the good news is, now I don't have to clean her out as she is on the way to the scrap metal shop! Crunch!

Lame

2007-02-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

Oh, I'm so clever and ironic sometimes. Good thing I've at least got that, cuz everything else is going downward rather quickly this week.

First it was the black death, which is still lingering. It was a terrible flu, one that kept me chained to my bed for a few days. And I'm not sure if it was the meds or the plague itself, but it turned my mind to mush. That whole looking-for-oven-baking-goods-in-fridge episode was not the only of its kind that week. In fact, I do believe I set a new record for most ridiculously stupid things done in one week, especially if you count all the walls I walked into.

But this week holds new treasures! I've torn up my ankle, and have a luxurious boot thing and a pair of haute crutches to prove it. As if this elegant fashion statement was not enough, I've developed some lovely shaded bruises under my arms and on the palms of my hands from those damned crutches. Never one to let a mass of unsightly aluminum and velcro bog down my style, I've decided the bruises really go well with all the lavender toned spring fashions this season. I'll just match them to my eye shadow. Very hot (with only a slight possibility that I may look like I got punched in the arms AND eyes).

How, you ask, did I do this? Hmmmm...well, let me think. Oh yes, I was defending a friend's honor in a bar fight with 50 bikers, and I totally kicked their asses. All I got was a few small ligament tears and a nasty sprain, but you should have seen those guys. Yes, that's how it happened.

The most unfortunate part about my disabled status is that I just got over being incapacitated for a week. I was going stir-crazy stuck in my house. I never thought I'd say this, but I got reaaally sick of watching movies. I was ready to get back out there and face the world, and catch up on a million things, like a clean house and clean laundry, for example. Perhaps my over-zealousness is the real injury culprit.

Now, I can't do anything. My house is still a disaster, and I have no clean clothes. That's ok, since I can barely dress myself anyway. All the little things are extremely difficult, and it's driving me crazy!

Though, I have picked up a few tricks with these things. I've learned to only eat foods in the fridge that are already in containers. That way, I can hobble to the fridge, pull out a container and throw it over to the table, all food intact, then hobble over to the table to eat (you know, since you use your hands to move the crutches, you can't carry anything?). I've got a water bottled filled too, so I can just roll it into the next room if I'd like a nice cold...martini...while I'm icing my ankle on the couch. And, best of all, I've figured out how to use the crutches like hands, picking up items and hucking them to their new destinations. Ah, pathetic really, I feel like an awkward and disabled robot, like whats his name--Johnny 5?

Anyhow, it's rather painful and frustrating, given last week and all. But I think I'll be in for a somewhat quick heal. That means, I'm having my pity party now, so send cookies and cards filled with cash while you can. I mean, if there is one thing crutches are good for (and it's not lookin' hot), they elicit a great amount of pity. I had table-side service at the coffee shop this a.m., with doors opened and seats given up. No cash yet, though, still working on that, since I haven't figured out an ingenious way to carry around a tin cup full of coins without dropping it.

Wooden crutches? This guy must have some serious bruises. Where is that St. Paul when you need him? (Is it just me, or do his thigh muscles look extremely toned for someone who can't used his legs?)

The Plague

2007-02-19T19:42:00.000-08:00

I'm sick. Horribly sick. But I'm tired of sleeping and watching movies, so I thought I'd post a bit. However, my mental faculties must have gone on vacation and left me here to die alone and sick. So I can't actually write much. I tried to go to work today, but decided that, after saying things backards and upside down to customers, dropping things, and watching the ceiling spin, that I should go home.

But I can push buttons. I'm good at that. So I pushed a few buttons, and posted some pictures.

Some movies I've watched, in the last 48 hours and beyond, and their relative sick ratings:

The Science of Sleep, by Michel Gondry: 5 hearts!

Weeds, a Showtime series: 4 hearts

The Last Kiss: a tricky one. A little too sexy, and a little too mainstream romance, but deep down, I liked the message, about how stupid our 20 something generation is. Hmm, how about 3 hearts?

Pan's Labyrinth: no hearts at all. yuck.

Children of Men: 1 heart, for it's realistic visual portrayal of a slightly futuristic city.

Marie Antoinette: 4 hearts

Rabbit Proof Fence: 5 hearts!

Amores Perros: 4 hearts

THX: 1138: 3 hearts, because it wasn't super exciting, but for a 70's flick, which happens to be George Lucas' first film, it's totally amazing with its cinematography, concept, and effects. Kind of a 1984 thing.

Garden State: 5 hearts

Munich: 5 hearts

The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada: 2 hearts

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: 1 heart

Princess Mononoke: 5 hearts!

And, strangely enough, there are waaaay more, but I can't recall with my crazy mind. Because, after I heard the buzzer on the oven, I opened the fridge and looked around in there for 5 minutes trying to find my baking garlic bread. And now it's burnt. Stupid being sick.

Genius

2007-02-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

So I've been meaning to post this link for a bit. I greatly enjoyed this particular Ze Frank Show epidose, and it perfectly put into words what I've been feelin forever! Check it out here over at my Flavor of the Week's blog.

Post Valentines heart breaker art!

2007-02-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

2007-02-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

2007-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

2007-02-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Phillips family fun center

2007-02-04T22:14:00.000-08:00

The Phillips are pretty much my new favorite family ever. I was invited into there home this summer, and have tried to go back as much as possible since then. Which is often, because they host lovely parties all the time! Here are a few photos from a birthday party for Steven. Lucky you, there are only a few because I was too lazy to go downstairs to catch the rest of the big screen American Idol party, but was later regretful for not doing so. May I present; me and my new friends Steven and Jenny, partaking in free food and ice cream, at the Phillips' home.

2007-02-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

2007-02-03T01:10:00.000-08:00

I don't think you can have a baby without taking this photo.

2007-02-03T01:06:00.000-08:00

2007-02-03T01:03:00.000-08:00

2007-02-03T00:59:00.000-08:00

Hooray for camera timer!

2007-02-03T00:52:00.000-08:00

2007-02-03T00:42:00.000-08:00

Just reminiscing about vacation again...

2007-01-30T01:15:00.000-08:00

Lost on the farmlands, en route to find a Christmas tree...

Paris and Nicole, I mean D and Ana, go out to the midwestern farms to cut down their very own Christmas tree!

2007-01-30T01:07:00.000-08:00

They had midwestern accents, and laughed at us when we asked for our own saw. Rightly so.

But we showed those redneck farm boys after all.

2007-01-30T01:05:00.000-08:00

2007-01-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

2007-01-30T00:53:00.000-08:00

2007-01-30T00:48:00.000-08:00

2007-01-30T00:44:00.000-08:00

Hello, my name is "a gangster"

2007-01-30T00:39:00.000-08:00