zilla on parade

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

2011-02-22T16:37:00.000-08:00

Background info: I work in the Science & Math department at my school. I’m basically there to answer questions, get the phone, sometimes tutor, and generally create a diversion/wall for the dean so she doesn’t have to listen to all the issues students have. There is a giant “X” in front of my desk where people place their milk crates and complain about everything they wish was not their fault. Sometimes the conversations I have just leave me shaking my head and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry because, unfortunately, these people are responsible for the future.

This morning’s episode stared a 20ish yr old kid inquiring about which programs he could take that required the least amount of math possible because, and I quote, “Them white teachers just be failin’ me for no reason. They won’t let any n***a in here pass. You must have that problem too, huh?” One: He was white. Two: Rude. There’s no need for that shit. Three: Uhhh, seriously dude?? Maybe he’s going through some sort of identity crisis, I don’t know. But something about the thick aroma of marijuana permeating off of him made me think it was just his high verbally puking everywhere. Especially after he followed it up with “No reason I can’t pass with a 60%”, and, “I need to get me a female teacher. They grade easy.”

And just when I thought he couldn't get any more awesome, ten minutes later I heard him having this conversation:

Him: “When I have kids I’m never going to make them do any of that exotic shit?”
Girl: “Like what?”
Him: “Like go to the mountains.”

I really feel like I owe it to society to procreate in order to level out the idiocy that people like this inflict on the world.

End hater moment.

Perhaps it’s time to dust this thing off….?

2011-02-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

Clearly writing/blogging has not been on the top of my priority list since, well, 2008. And 2010 got the serious stiff from me. Doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to say--really, when do I NOT have SOMETHING to talk about??—just haven’t felt it in a long time. But I’m over being over it. Thankfully after seeing that about 1/4th of the 40ish peeps I’m “stalking” have been just as slackerish on their own blogging I don’t feel quite so lame.

So… this is my attempt to start writing more in 2011.
Baby steps to big blogs.
Baby steps.

Bug.

2009-07-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

I'd be lying if I said I'd never consider the idea of moving to Alaska so I could be closer to my sister and niece. I could survive in 50 below weather in the winter, right?? It would be worth it if that meant I was able to watch this one grow up..

Every picture pulls at my heart strings, and I cry a little bit on the inside for not being closer.

Kari & Jeremy

2009-06-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

Sunday night was my first of five weddings to attend this summer. It was a fairly small outdoor gathering of family and friends at the Robinswood House on the east side, and the weather was nice enough to hold out.... (one loud thunder clap had me nervous for a second, though).

The groom: I've only met Jeremy a hand full of times, but my interactions with him have been quite entertaining. For example, we conversed back and forth the week prior to the wedding about where he could take his bride to be/birthday girl to find an, and I quote, "inappropriately hot little dress/skirt/etc to go dancing in." His girl is hot, i cant blame him. Quite laughable, and he got a thumbs up for that one.

The bride: Ms. Kari. She looked insanely gorgeous. She comes from a long line of crafty woman, so it was no surprise to me that her big sis made all the food, and that her mother had made her dress as well as the dresses for the two flower girls. Brides tend to be a little spastic day of, but if she felt that way she kept it together quite nicely. Instead of entering into a whirlwind of hair and make-up freak outs, I walked into Kari--in jeans and a t-shirt, 30 minutes prior to go time--applying "fancies" to her niece. Cool and calm, that's how she rolls.

The camera battery was beeping at me towards the beginning of the ceremony, so I tried to save what life was left for one picture of the love birds. I snapped this shot and then it immediately died. At least I got it :)

Winter Formal - A Night of Getting Awesome

2009-03-05T13:50:00.001-08:00

Ever have one of those moments where you stop and think to yourself....What did I do?? Yeah. I was asking myself that Saturday night at Winter Formal. I looked around throughout the course of the evening and saw everything from strip teases to people dancing with a cabbage patch doll, NKOTB groupies to the Mad Hatter and other members of his tea party. It was mayhem in its finest form, silliness in the most serious of ways, and hands down one of the best times I've had in a while. It may have even beat out last year's prom in the fun factor category. It was that great.

The photographer's pictures are up...and available here!!

These were a few of my favorites. I think they speak for themselves....

They came. They saw. They left with my heart.

2009-01-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

For some oddball reason my sister loves living in Alaska with no running water, partial electricity, no relatively close neighbors (which at times I can understand), fifty degree below weather in the winter, and using an outhouse. My time with her is obviously limited. When summer time rolls around I’ll make my way up there, especially since Atigun was born, but for now I’ll have to settle for the extended layover mi familia decided to take in Seattle last week. It was slumber party central at my place, which basically equates to me keeping the baby awake until 3am for two days straight so I could get my time crunched love on.

I first met Atigun in August, just a few months after she was born. She has grown quite a bit since then and I must say, my niece is pretty Gerber-ish. I’m not just talking about that whole, “the perfect baby looks like blah blah Gerber blah,” she really looks like friggin Gerber on the jar. And apparently I am not the only one who thinks so, as my sister has been hearing that quite frequently.

One of my oldest, nearest, and dearest is a photographer and was able to snap some shots of the pretty girl right before they headed back home. I picked the pictures up last night and now have further evidence of my claim…

I rest my case.

We seriously need to enter her into some sort of baby food/college fund/Regis & Kelly/money winning contest.

GAWD she’s cute!!!!

Tunnels?? Really??

2009-01-08T13:28:00.001-08:00

I am a self admitting pack-rat. I understand the urge to keep shit around.
But keeping (apparently) deadly trash....??

Hoarder Dies After Becoming Lost in Maze of His Own Trash
An eccentric loner in Britain hoarded so much trash he had to burrow through it to get around his home — then got lost in the maze of tunnels Friday and died of thirst.

Human mole Gordon Stewart, 74, had filled his rooms up to the ceiling with 10 years’ worth of garbage and clutter, making it impossible to walk around.

The compulsive hoarder is believed to have become disorientated inside the walls of rotting trash and unable to find a way out — then collapsed with dehydration.

Neighbors raised the alarm after failing to see him leave his house in Broughton, Bucks, for several days.

When cops arrived, the stench from the garbage was so foul they brought in a police diving team equipped with breathing apparatus.

It is believed they crawled around the tunnel network until they uncovered Stewart’s body.

A neighbor revealed: “A police officer said the interior was piled up with huge mounds of rotting rubbish and there was an elaborate network of tunnels to move around."

“They think Stewart may have got lost and died from dehydration.”

********************************************************

People never cease to amaze me.

A useless piece of figure skating knowledge.

2009-01-06T13:21:00.000-08:00

It was fifteen years ago today that Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed over the knee…

…which subsequently caused her to withdraw from the '94 Olympic trials, whine her way past the USOC onto the team, bump my beloved Michelle Kwan out of Lillehammer, gain a two million dollar contract from Disney, and then bitch about winning a silver metal.

Call me heartless.
I’m just a bit bitter on the subject.
Still.

christmas tree, OHHHHHHH christmas tree.....

2008-12-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

i don't mind that its been snowing for a week. i don't mind seeing another ten days of snow in the forecast. i don't mind feeling like i'm stuck on an island, that the buses are not running, or that i've had to use six vacation days thus far because i haven't been able to get to work.

....wait a minute. YEAH i do!!

jules and i were going to get our christmas tree last weekend but given that she doesn't drive in the snow, (which really is better for everyone), we still didn't have one as of two days ago. no bueno. considering that and the fact i get SERIOUS cabin fever --like, i almost jumped off the deck a few times from boredom-- i decided to make a tree. i gave a quick tutorial to everyone on how to make paper snowflakes, (apparently they had forgotten that from third grade... weird), i made the frame out of red wrapping paper, and wah-la.... i have a tree residing over my fire place. here is the finished product:

yeah, im that rad. at least it kept me occupied.
speaking of which, im stuck at home... again.
what to do... what to do...

Todays rundown:

2008-12-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

I wake up, get dressed, head for the bus. Its roughly 8:45 in the AM. I stand there for over an hour and a half before a bus comes. Upon arrival the driver says he is too full. I say F it, call up the roomie, hit up Alki Café for some grub. Two buses pass by while I'm eating. Figures. Bill comes, and so does another bus. I run out, catch it, and as I hit the Admiral junction it starts snowing. I decide to go for it and head to the east side anyways. Two hours later I’m at work facing roughly 400 unread emails. I’m ready to go back home.

How I know that I’m getting older:

2008-12-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

3) My joints hurt when it’s cold outside.

2) I no longer look at children and think “They’re cute, but I’m glad they’re not mine,” and instead I feel my ovaries scream “I want one of those!!”

1)I just spent 30 minutes planning out my Friday evening, which will now consist of making dinner for a gaggle of girls and watching Kung Foo Panda.

Tragic.

Break time!!

2008-12-10T16:48:00.000-08:00

Fall quarter is officially over – thank cheese and everything else that is holy. Had my last final last night, and after bombing the hell out of the test I still pulled off an A. I just looked up my total GPA, and after workin out a 3.8 I realize how completely ridiculous I am... for not being satisfied with it of course. Someone slap me.

I have the next three weeks off. Whatever shall I do with myself?

The breast may be best..... but could you please leave my ice cream out of this??

2008-09-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent me this article yesterday. At first I was mildly grossed out, then I laughed a bit, and now I just have too many questions.

After doing a little bit of Google searching I was enlightened to the fact that there are six human milk banks in the US for babies who will not/cant take formula and who’s mothers can not breast feed for various reasons. Thats for new borns, so let’s just side-step that for a moment shall we and focus in on the ridiculous amount of extra milk the women in this world would need to squeeze out just to satisfy the ice cream demands alone. I won’t even get started on cheese.

Can you imagine the production line for something like this? I mean, would there be factories? Are these women sub-contractors? Do they get medical benefits? Instead of receiving maternity leave are they forced to work over time? Do they have to provide their own pump or is there somewhere they can 'hook up'?? Are they milked by machines or is it the old fashion pulling on the utters style? If it’s the latter, I’m sure there will be a flood of male applicants. These dudes will be the first in line. I smell and HR violation in there somewhere.

I’m all for humane treatment of animals, but come on…. really?? Soon we’ll be seeing organizations pop up everywhere defending the rights of mistreated breasts.

Carol Decker

2008-09-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

In June, while seven months pregnant, Carol Decker went into the emergency room with a fever over 103 degrees. Within an hour she was given an emergency C-section, was immediately put into an induced coma, and was eventually diagnosed with a septic pneumonia infection. All of her major organs began to fail, her skin literally boiled, and her blood began to clot in an abnormal manor. The doctors eventually had no choice but to amputate both of her legs and her left arm. She is now also blind, but alive.

With the use of prosthetics, and severe physical therapy, Carol is expected to one day be able to walk and play with her children again. Unfortunately, it will have a cost. Literally. Within the last three months alone Carol’s medical bills have surpassed $2 million dollars, and they continue to grow. She is expected to be returning home next week, but extensive rehab is needed, which among other things are not covered by her insurance.

Carol is the sister of one of my best friends, a wife, a mother of two baby girls, a beautiful individual, a fighter, and a member of a family who loves and supports her to no end. This family is now in need of help. Please take a moment to read her story, leave a message, and contribute in any possible way that you can to her recovery.

Carol’s husband, Scott, has been keeping a blog to update friends and family about her progress:

http://sccsdecker.blogspot.com/

If you would like to make a contribution to Carol and her family, you may do so at any Washington Mutual Bank under the ‘Benevolent account for Scott C Decker FBO, Carol J Decker and Safiya Decker’. This information can also be found within this blog posting:

http://sccsdecker.blogspot.com/2008/06/update-to-account-information.html

Komo 4 news aired a story about this last night on the 11 o’clock broadcast. If you care to read the story or watch the video, it can be seen here:

http://www.komonews.com/news/28125714.html

GAWD shes cute!!!

2008-08-07T09:45:00.001-07:00

My sister, Elizabeth, is taking a month long tour around the country to show the baby off. Her first stop was my house!! This past weekend I finally got to meet Atigun and I could not possibly be more excited about having this little girl in my life forever.

I'll spare you from the hundred plus variations of the same five or six pictures and show you just a few of them...

She looks a lot like my sister in this picture...

Meeting of the minds here folks. Jules discovered that when she said "BOOOOOOOBIES" that Atigun would laugh. Go figure.

OOOOOOOR not......

I also raided Elizabeth's laptop and jacked a disk full of pics and out of all of them I fell in love with this one for some reason...

Both E & A will be back at the end of the month before returning to Alaska, so I'll get to spend another day with both of them. Im sure by then the babes will be twice as big as she was just a few days ago. She needs to knock that off.

NBA Finals = A Happy Martha

2008-06-10T09:07:00.001-07:00

Allow me to admit something - Every NBA Championship Finals that the Lakers have been a part of I have cheered for them…. until now.

Now that we've got that out of the way…

You either love him, or hate him, but no matter which it is for you there is no denying KB's usual domination on the court. On average he's 45% percent from the floor, and can generally get away with comments about how he can 'manage' a game from a distance and then turn things back on whenever he so pleases because, well, we believe he can. We've seen him do it. He is without a doubt one of the most talented players ever. Cocky or not, it's the truth. It's been said that when he wants to make a basket, he will, that no one can guard him, and that he is one of the greatest closers. That very well may be true, but all its making me want to do right now is stand up and give Boston some props.

Game one he shot 9-26, and last night he was just 11-23. Ouch. In the four losses to Boston this season, Bryant is just 35-of-93 from the field. Call it 'bad looks' if you'd like, I'll call it good defense. Give credit when due, and the Celtics have figured out how to stop the 'unstoppable' man. Brav-friggin-o!!

Yes, Kobe helped close Boston's 24 point lead down to 2 during the last 5 minutes of the game, but seriously, good job on getting that far behind in the first place. LA fans, go ahead and pick at that one. I know you're dying too. And to the Celtics, DON'T F'IN BLOW LEADS LIKE THAT!! I'm too young to have a heart attack and things like that are not helping. Plain and simple, Boston got too comfortable.

Moving along…

Last week on ESPN's website a group of sports nuts/experts listed five factors they thought were going to play majors rolls in this series. Number one was Kobe Bryant. No surprise there. Number five was each team's bench. Let's take a look at those good'ole bench warmers shall we??

The Lakers may have multiple decades worth of experience on their bench, but they have yet to put up high contributing stats. With a few of their key players in early foul trouble, Jackson sent second string guys in to play during the second quarter… you know, when Boston first started pulling ahead!? And they were the favored ones.

The Celtics on the other hand have had multiple contributors. PJ Brown has done an outstanding job in the wake of Perkins hurting his ankle, and Powe, who played a measly 15 minutes in last nights game, shot 6-7 from the floor, and got to the line 13 times. THIRTEEN TIMES!! That was more than the entire Lakers team shot the whole game. Give that man the T-Mobile player of the game!! He deserved it. Had I remembered the number the one time they flashed it on screen I would have sent a text or two for him as well.

So maybe the Celtic team is young, and yeah they have been doing fairly shitty in the playoffs in comparison to how they 'should' have been playing considering their regular season record. Everyone 'should' have been a breeze. You know what I have to say about that?? They still won! They STILL made it to the Finals. They are a group of guys who have never played on a team together, most of them have never been to the Finals before, and on a team that hasn't been there since the 80's… and right now they're kicking the Lakers' ass!! Rajon Rondo's total of 16 assists was the highest for any player in a Finals game since Magic Johnson in 1991. They had 31 assists on 36 FGs last night to give them the highest percentage for any of Boston's 118 Finals games ever. Not bad for some inexperienced babies don't you think?

Now, I am fully aware that the Lakers are 8-0 in the postseason at home, and that they've won 14 in a row there as well, and yada yada… but they have also never overcome a 2-0 deficit in the Finals, while Boston is 7-0 all time when holding a 2-0 series lead. I'm just thanking everything that is holy they won yesterdays game because having to win all 3 in LA would have been a *bitch*. Home court definitely plays a big factor, (and I believe it was either 3rd or 4th in that list), and naturally I can't expect Boston to take the next two games, and I doubt they will. I'm an optimist but a realist at the same time. That being said, I'm going to go with my original prediction of Celtics in 6 games… and then they'll get to celebrate at home. Won't that be nice??

Lakers cheerleaders – go ahead and hate away. Just know that whatever happens I'm stoked we have a great match up to watch this year. ALLELUIA!! That makes me a happy girl.

Atigun, meet the Internet… Internet, this is Atigun.

2008-05-20T11:19:00.001-07:00

I’m in love and wanted to share some of the first pictures I have seen of my niece, Atigun Ophelia Swan…

Last night I popped in an old video of my family from when we were on a local SoCal talk show back in the mid-80s, (story for another time), and reality slapped me across the face. My big sister that was sitting next to me, who at the time was only 6 years old, is now a mother. Little weird, (slightly aging), but pretty awesome.

I am not sure when I will be able to meet this newest addition to my family, but I am looking forward to it and I’m sure when I finally do I’ll ball like a little girl.

Life is good.

When was the last time you danced?

2008-03-21T16:08:00.001-07:00

Every afternoon when I was a little girl I would pull my Mickey Mouse record player into the living room, throw on some Michael Jackson (who I was TOTALLY in love with), stick my arms straight out and run around in circles while being completely convinced that I was the best dancer in the world. I didn’t care if my mom walked in and saw me, I hoped she would so I could show off a bit. Nothing made me happier. For years I said to myself, “When I grow up I want to be a dancer”. Although that did not happen I still fancy a corner of the dance floor from time to time.

Lately I have been living vicariously through the peeps on America’s Best Dance Crew. GO JABBAWOCKEEZ!!!!!..... they of course are much better dancers than I am but I get this little twitch in my shoulders and boogie in my butt while I watch them perform. It’s all sorts of awesome. There was another show a few years back, something ridiculous on MTV with Wade Whatshisface where in the final round he would quickly teach two contestants some choreography and they’d compete in head to head combat... it was super cereal and kind of dumb but I watched it anyways. There was a certain move one time on an episode that was kind of the dopeness that I decided to give a whirl. I was having one of those ‘no one is watching me so I’m rockstaring it up in the mirror with a comb microphone’ moments… only I was in the kitchen doing the dishes and looking mildly goofy while my roommate, unbeknownst to myself, was watching the whole time. Sometimes being embarrassed can cause healthy fits of giggles. I’m sure she had a few. My job there was done.

A few days ago while getting my hair did in CK’s salon our friend Natasha’s younger brother decided to teach us some ultra fantasmica dance crazes. I really hope that everyone walking past stopped to take a gander at our ridiculousness, but I wouldn’t know even if they did because I was too busy doing the Cupid and Superman. Side note: I would be perfectly ok with never hearing Soulja Boy ever again but something makes me a slightly happier now that I know the dance….. “watch me crank and watch me ROLLLLL”. *ahem*

If you’ve known me for a long time then you are aware that there was a point in life when you would never see me anywhere other than on the dance floor and it was extremely difficult to drag me away from it. There are still those nights when it is pointless to try and talk to me because I am too busy twirling around and acting silly. I am sorry if I step on you and will apologize in a few hours when I realize that I have broken your toe with my stomping (Dac, you know what I mean). Everyone should have these evenings…. minus the damaged appendages.

No, dip shit. You’re on a boat in the middle of a lake.

2008-03-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

During the boat cruise on Friday night there were two separate instances when people came up just to give me a random hug and I replied with “Oh, are you leaving?!?”

I am pretty awesome.

Other worthy notables of proof:
1) I purchased a Whispers two disk greatest hits album on Saturday afternoon..
2) and Huey Lewis and the News…
3) then I went home to watch Step Up 2… and LOVED it!!

Hungry?

2008-03-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

Now, this may look like a taste little morsel, but Im curious as to how many people in this world, when hungry, immediately think "Oh man, I wish I had a Snickers bar right now". It may satisfy the sweet tooth, but curb the hunger?? I'm a bit skeptical.

Last night officially marked the end of dodgeball for the season. My team is retiring until fall so we can go play outside instead of being cooped up in a smelly gymnasium.... which is fine by me because KICKBALL STARTS IN TWO WEEKS!!!!! (yes!!)

Two years ago I threw a boat party and all of the proceeds went to my roomies to help pay for their wedding. It may just be in my top ten list of fantasmica evenings. I am throwing another one on the same boat tomorrow night and it is making me realize how quickly time can pass you by. It was apparently so quick that I even put on the flyer that the first party happened last summer (oops). I really was convinced that it had only been one year. Two years from now I wonder what I will look back and have forgotten *shrugs*. Ginkgo anyone?? But anyways, it got me thinking about all of the people who were there last time(especially you, Tara), how many of them have moved away (again T, I'm calling you out), how many people have been married since, changed careers, had babies, bought houses, and so on.... and it's making me wish that I could just get every single person that I know and stick them on that damn boat again so we could have another night together laughing and dancing around like idiots. Chances are most of them will be, but Im a little sad that a few others will not. I'll just have to keep them in thought.

Is it the weekend yet?? GEEZ.

Tidy Whitey Superheros.

2008-03-09T23:51:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night may have been one of the most entertaining evenings of my entire life. It was my girlfriend Crystal's birthday and the list of ridiculous is anything but short when it comes to her birthday themes. We've done 80's karaoke, been cowgirls for an evening and gone to a primarily male gay line dancing club, taken over as tour guides on a Ride the Duck tour, and on... and on. When asked this year what theme she wanted she replied with Tidy Whitey Superheros. So that is what we were.

The plan was to take over a dive bar up in Everett. Throw on some bright tights, a colorful wig, sport some high platform boots, and safety pin a piece of fabric to your shoulders for a cape and people tend to look at you a little sideways. Who would have thunk?? We walked in and the band literally stop playing... pure awesomeness. Naturally by the end of the night we were taking pictures with them for their website.

We were either loved or hated by the rest of the patrons but one thing is for sure, we were nothing but entertainment to all of them. May these pictures be the same for you...

Crystal - I love you more today than yesterday, but not nearly as much as tomorrow... and that is not only because you take such fabulous pictures (see above).

Happy Birthday.

I still love you, Josh Brown.

2008-03-05T12:21:00.001-08:00

A wave of shock past through me last Friday when I heard you were leaving. Was this something that could have been avoided? Had we not screamed loud enough for you in the stands? Maybe we didn’t listen to your radio show enough… I knew I should have called in. I have so many questions for you. Who will lead us in points next year? When will we have another record breaking kicker on our squad? Are you going to eventually be replaced by someone who will tackle the way you do? And what makes the Rams so much better for you than us?? Thoughts of you playing with another team slowly started tearing away at my heart as I read quotes from you in the news…

"They just blew me away with their offer," Brown said. "I can't tell you exactly how it feels to be received and wanted that way by a ballclub."

So it’s the money then?? I hope you know it can’t buy you happiness.
It can’t be that. It must be something else…

"I never felt like we were really, really close," Brown said. "I felt like we just kept dancing around things, we just kept going back and forth, and nothing was ever being finalized and certain things that I perceived to be important were not being paid attention to."

I realize now where mistakes were made. We may have heard you, but we never listened. Kickers really do need love too and I am sorry that you have not felt that in Seattle. I am sorry that our relationship has come to this, and I am sorry the Hawks let you down. Sometimes you just really don’t know what you’ve got until its gone. Next season as you kick field goals against us I am sure that all 67,000 12th men in that stadium will all realize just how great it was to have you on our side.

I’ve been selfish this past week. I apologize. I haven’t taken into account that this is a great move for you. You get your $3million a year!! And take that $4million signing bonus!! You deserve it. I am sure that your family is excited to have you closer to home as well. These are all great things for you that I must keep in mind. I have just one request though… try not to feel this way, ok?? It hurts my soul when you think I could treat you like this…

“I'm going to get massacred by the Seattle fans now.”

I will be the bigger Hawk in this situation. I can accept that the Rams are showing you a greater appreciation than we did. Just know that the support was always there for you from this fan.

I still love you, Josh Brown. I am really going to miss you.
Thank you for five great years.

-Martha

After much anticipation..... prom pics.

2008-02-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

Rent a 6000 square foot hall, get some disco lights, tell you're friends to brush the dust off their 90's prom attire, play a little Journey and Bobby B, and what do you get?? Countless amounts of nonsense as well as ruffles, bow ties, corsages, crowns, boas, pumps, rhinestones, tuxedo shirts, cummerbunds, shoulder pads, pocket protectors, interpretive dancing (mostly done by me), punch spiking (also done by yours truly), and... whats that stuff called again... oh yeah, FUN!!! In a nut shell... prom was the jam!!

I'm pretty sure I had the hottest date there...

Here is a link to the pictures the photographer took!!

Breathe Me.

2008-02-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

Every time that I watch Sia perform I fall in love with her all over again. My first experience with the kooky Australian was in a quaint little venue a few years ago with one of my best friends, Tara. Up until then I enjoyed Zero 7’s music but had fairly little knowledge of Sia herself. From the time this little ball of awesomeness walked out on stage to when she was saying her goodnights, she absolutely blew me away. She made a new lifelong friend that night as her voice plucked away note by note on my soul’s strings.

As we exited the venue I bought her CD and although it was completely amazing, I was somewhat disappointed. I was unknowingly being spoiled by hearing her live before ever hearing her solo work via a recording. I must tell you, CDs will ever do her justice. It is quite a feat to say that someone is better live than on an album, but she has yet to fail me in the belief that she is 10x better in person.

Last night was my fifth time being a part of her audience. My girlfriend and I found ourselves a fairly good spot with a clear view, but unfortunately it was amidst drunk fest ’08 and people were being so loud you could barely hear what she was saying between songs… which really is a bummer because she is also quite the entertainer. However, Breathe Me came on (which is by far my most favorite to hear live) and the entire crowd fell silent. It was perfect. She sang a few more songs and then as she collected her gifts of bamboo, stuffed animals, and cards the crowd had given her, all the while graciously thanking all of them, I couldn’t help but want to jump on stage, fold her up, and put her in my pocket. Maybe next time.

If you have never listened to Sia, pull your head out from under that rock and go YouTube her. Better yet, go buy her albums, check your local venues for upcoming tour dates, and go see her perform. If you don’t like her I will personally reimburse you for your tickets while slapping you for having no musical taste.

Borat invades my bathroom…

2008-02-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

In the downstairs bathroom of my house there is a rather large sized map of the world hanging on the wall. Along the very bottom of this map there are pictures of various flags. So a while back someone cut the face of Borat out of a magazine, without my roomies or I knowing, and tapped it to the Kazakhstan flag. Obviously this was a premeditated act of silliness and we thought it was quit entertaining once we noticed it, and who knows how long it had been there. Well Borat has recently changed locations. Someone decided to find Kazakhstan on the map and move him there. Now, the person who we thought was originally guilty of starting this little joke has not been over to our house for quite a while which means that there is a second culprit who decided to join in on the fun….

I love my friends. They are obviously ridiculous.

Jumper

2008-02-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure that the only thing that made paying $9 for this movie worth while was that I was able to look at this mug for two hours...

If anybody wants to see a GREAT movie... go see Cloverfield.
It's my new favorite right now.... aside from Step Up that is ;)

todays lunch = sixty well spent minutes

2008-01-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

A good friend and I meet up for lunch at least once a week. He works in the mall that is a few blocks away and today we spent our hour sitting and watching little kids on the indoor playground there, chuckling to ourselves about how easily amused and cute they all were. I’m pretty sure they would have been just as entertained with a cardboard box as they were with this 4ft tall boat.

I have been on the look out a few weeks now for a new hat and after leaving my friend I somehow wondered into a store towards their sales bin where I found the perfect one for $10. My head is ecstatic.

I said I ‘somehow wondered’ because I was on the phone and not really paying attention to what I was doing… (apparently I spend money when I’m not paying attention, hmm).. but as this hat was getting out of my mind and into my life…(why am I hearing Billy Ocean right now??)… I was finalizing the plans for a cupcake baking party, (for prom), on Thursday at my house. I don’t even like cupcakes, but the thought of baking them with a few of my girlfriends sort of fancies me.

It’s the simple things in life that make me smile.
Happy Tuesday.

8 days and counting.

2008-01-24T13:25:00.000-08:00

I’m finding great humor in the fact that, at age 25, I was just asked to my first dance. A long time friend of mine messaged me a few days ago from Arizona and asked if I would go to prom with him. I immediately informed him that it was rude to tease a girl about such a thing. This morning he sent me his flight itinerary. How could I refuse?? It’s entirely besides the point that his family lives here and that I’m pretty sure he was planning on coming anyways... what is relative is that I now have a date to the prom and someone to slow dance to Celine Dion with. I find the whole thing rather humorous and cute. Now I just need to find a dress…

today’s tid-bits

2008-01-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

The Giants? Really? GO PATRIOTS!!!

I reinjured an old knee wound from back in Nam snowboarding last Sunday. Of course I continued to ride for another 5 hours. As a result a co-worker is taking great joy in being able to call me gimpy again. I suppose I deserve it. My new dodgeball season starts next week and naturally I will be playing regardless of the handicap. I apparently love learning the hard way…. and I’m stubborn.

My Grandparents, I will have you know, are quite the gamblers. They are frequent offenders of a little place called Atlantic City. Once a year my Mom’s side of the family meets there to eat, visit, and gamble (obviously). How it works: Grandmas on the slots, my Aunts and Uncle are on various card tables, and Gpa is meandering around between everyone keeping tabs on individual’s winnings and making sure we all know when and where we're eating again so we can do the aforementioned visiting thing. Gramps is turning 80 at the end of next month but taking a preemptive trip to the AC in two weeks, so now I am as well. I’m not sure that any other extended family will be there besides the Grand-rents, but in addition to them I’ll get to see my Dad (who has since moved to the east coast), my brother (who I haven’t seen in… I’m not actually sure anymore), and my prego sister (I’m looking forward to seeing her nice and plump). I leave Friday morning and get back Sunday night. 2 days of planes, trains, and automobiles for 1 day of fam time. It’s worth it.

Prom is in nine days. NINE DAYS PEOPLE!!! The decoration committee is hard at work, 100’s of cupcakes are being made to serve along with the punch (which I plan on spiking), and I’m working on a list of early 90’s songs for the DJs that definitely need to be played. This may just be the most ridiculous thing ever. Well, maybe.

Last but certainly not least, in case you were wondering about the monster truck show… I’m pretty sure my face in this picture accurately portrays how absolutely fantasmica it was….

You know you want one…

Key note for the day:

2008-01-17T12:40:00.001-08:00

It is almost time for Girl Scout cookies!!

him: Do you ever correlate the girl scouts with drug dealing?
these girls get rounded up
they are given product from their supplier
who get it from their supplier
all the money that they make they have to give back
and all they get is a merit badge or some ish like that
what do the girls get out of it?

me : sugar high?

him: gotta get that fix
‘I need some more smack bird’
but none the less I do like those damn cookies

He's got a good point.

Are you ready for some football??

2008-01-16T12:07:00.001-08:00

Well I’m not. Not really anyways. Not after the Hawks had their asses handed to them on Saturday. I could rant on about what a horrible game that was but I’ll refrain and get on with what I’m really festering over. Who the hell am I going to cheer for in the AFC championship game?? I’m fairly confident that either team could beat the winner of the NFC game, but I find myself at odds with who gets my vote.

I am a Charger by birth. I was born in San Diego and they, along with the Padres, will forever be my default teams. Last season my Hawks section nearly gave me the boot because I wore my ’86 Chargers t-shirt (how I still fit into it is beyond me) underneath my Seattle jersey and I caught myself cheering for SD as we clinched the win. <---- Did you see how I just did that?? I said ‘we’ as if I am still a Charger. I’m sure I will eventually be ousted as a true Hawks fan for such things. I have a soft spot. Give me a break. So here is my dilemma: I would really like to see first hand (via the television obviously) an undefeated season by the Patriots. They are now just two games away from accomplishing this but in order to do so they would have to beat my Chargers in Sundays AFC championship game. So who am I going to cheer for?? My ‘home’ team? Or the second team in NFL history to have a perfect regular and post season? At this point I’ll just have to wait until I’m watching the game and see who I end up screaming at the television for (because I do that sort of thing). If only they could play each other in the Super Bowl.

The two reasons why I don’t really care about the NFC game now that the Hawks are out: the Packers and the Giants.

Green Bay beat Seattle. Hard. Granted the Hawks didn’t really show up to play so I should be upset with them, but instead I’ve opted to point the finger elsewhere and blame the Packers on their own victory. Yeah, it would be nice to see Favre win in his last season (maybe?), and sure he’s a great quarterback with a laundry list of various awards, rings, and records under his belt… one of which includes most interceptions thrown ((had to throw that one out there (no pun intended). Really, who would want that??))… and he of course helped mold the Hawk’s own Hasselbeck into the QB he is today so I should be grateful… but despite all of these things, all of the reasons I should want to see him succeed, there is one particular thing keeping me from wanting to see the team succeed and advance to the Super Bowl… I’m bitter. *folds arms*

And then there are the Giants. It’s 2004 and Eli Manning is the number one draft pick by the San Diego Chargers… and then he refuses to play for them because they are not a good enough team. Excuse me? Aren’t you new?? Subsequently he was traded to the New York Giants. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of how/why the draft is set up the way it is don’t you think?? Hate to dislike an entire team because of one person, but the QB is the front man so the cards just fall that way some times.

**Small disclaimer - I am fully aware that none of these reasons are the most statistical way I could approach either of these games, but it is what it is.**

So here’s how I see it:

If the Patriots beat the Chargers, (notice I said ‘if’), then they will win the Super Bowl. I think they could beat both NY and Green Bay, but that they would have a more difficult time with the latter. Patriots are currently 0-1 against Green Bay in previous SBs, so their chance at redemption, along with the obvious potential 19-0 record, would add another interesting element. This team match up would be the most entertaining in my opinion, although one scenario that would be just RAD to see... NY and SD. Watching Eli be defeated by the team he refused to play for would be absolutely priceless.

I’ll be snowboarding all day on Sunday so the TiVo will be set and the games will be awaiting my return… so no one call me and say who won or you’ll ruin Christmas!!

I hate to say it, but football this year needs to just hurry up and end so I can focus more on my true love, basketball.

Monster Jam!!!

2008-01-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

Anything that goes BOOM!!!, gets crunched, smashed, obliterated, can be lit on fire, implodes, or explodes kind of excites me. I would love to be a pyrotechnic. Being on site for a demolition and pushing the big red button for some 30-something story building has always been a fantasy of sorts. In a nut shell, I like watching things be destroyed. When the old Kingdome stadium here in Seattle was set to be demolished I planned out my viewing spot 2 months in advance. It was in that same stadium that I went to my last monster truck show. This Saturday I get to go rock out again, (this time in the Tacoma dome), watch a little derby action, and see some big trucks break shit. I’m stoked.

Things to be expected:
- a variety of mullets
- an array of handle bar mustaches
- chaps (I’ll give double points for no pants underneath)
- to loose a few brain cells by inhaling exhaust fumes
- total inhalation of multiple cars
- something to be set on fire
- to leave wanting my own monster truck
- a damn good time

BRING IT!!

Luis Bernal

2008-01-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

My friend Luis (aka Taco) was murdered on December 11th, 2006. The first of two trials recently concluded and tomorrow afternoon i will be going to the sentencing of the first person found guilty. I was asked by the family to write a victims impact letter to the court and will possibly be reading it aloud tomorrow.

Love and hugs.

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT
State of Washington vs. ABEL EDUARDO CONTRERAS Superior Court
Cause No. 06-1-05904-4

State of Washington vs. Anthony N. Sakellis
Cause No. 06-1-05885-4

I appreciate this opportunity to let the court know how the death of Luis Bernal has personally affected me. This is something that I have been forced to think about ever since last December, and no matter how much time passes finding the words to describe how I feel about the murder of my friend still proves to be very difficult.

I have known Luis for over 10 years. He was a loving son and brother, along with a caring friend and former roommate. He was a teddy bear and could always bring a smile to anyone’s face. I have countless memories of him including traveling, video games, hearing him play records, various road trips, late night talks, food runs, kitchen cleaning parties, holidays, shared pets, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, the last memory and image I have of him now is of his murdered body lying in a coffin, dressed in his favorite football jersey, covered in a blanket, and wishing that he’d just jump up and tell me that it was just one of his stupid pranks. Only it was not. I have spent countless hours playing out what that fateful night may have been like for him. I have heard him calling for help, and I have envisioned him being shot and killed. I have never wanted any of those thoughts to run through my head, but they have. His death has brought up emotions within me ranging everything from depression to rage. I feel sorrow for everyone who has been left to deal with this horrendous loss and I am angry at those who are responsible for making us feel this way. We will never be able to call Luis on the phone again. We will never be able to hear his voice. We will never share another birthday, laugh, story, smile, or joke. We will never find out what his children will be like, and he will never experience the joys of being an Uncle. How can anyone accurately portray the feelings these facts create? And how are we supposed to cope and accept his loss when it was something so completely unnatural and at the hands of another human being?

This letter was suppose to be written in order for me to explain what the impact of Luis Bernal’s death has been on me, but I don’t think that any arrangement or amount of words will ever give justice to how torn inside I am about this situation, and neither will any sentence that is ever handed down to the defendant. Luis will be missed by so many and no amount of jail time served will ever bring him back. My only wish is that the court recognizes the fact that Abel Eduardo Contreras deserves to be in jail as long as possible because five, ten, or fifteen years down the road Abel will still have the one thing that he robbed Luis of: His life.

Two glasses of wine.

2008-01-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

I’m pretty sure that forwarding mass emails to 100+ people as apposed to pressing delete will not help me find true love, save a starving child in Ethiopia, or prevent my leg from being severed in some horrible accident. However, I do read them sometimes and I kind of liked this one. As apposed to spamming multiple inboxes across America I opted to contain it to one location and blog it here. Enjoy.

TWO GLASSES OF WINE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed again that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."

I love it when weekends kick ass!!

2008-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

There is nothing worse than going back to work on a Monday morning feeling like your weekend just sucked. Having a good few days off almost makes it ok to have to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to re-involve myself in the work force. It’s entirely besides the point, btw, that I didn’t work 40hrs+ the past two weeks like I normally do.

Friday night I had dinner with two of my favorite people, Aaron and Julia. Aaron and I have a love affair with the happy hour at Dragonfish and eat there almost every weekend. Over the holidays we collectively accumulated about $100 in gift certificates by filling out their comment cards, which were quite humorous I might add, but couldn’t start cashing in on them until this month. We may be increasing our weekly attendance for a while. A few hours were spent eating, chatting, and spilling saki, then I called it an early night because I had a long day planned, including a big game, the next day.

I am, if you didn’t already know, kind of a sports nut. Keep that in mind for all future and/or past sports blogings. I have season tickets to the Seahawks and Saturday was their first playoff game against the Washington Redskins. SUCH a good game!! Actually, I found the first half to be a little boring (aside from our TDs of course) and filled with some questionable calls, but the fourth quarter of that game may have been the most exciting 15 minutes of the entire season… which made it SUCH a good game!! Three things: I love Josh Brown, Trufant is a G, bring on Green Bay. GO HAWKS!!!

Which brings us to yesterday… I went snowboarding for the first time in 6 years. Up until yesterday I had only ever rode one season, only been to Snoqualmie pass, and had never ridden during the day. Man, I’ve been missing out. A group of 10 of us spent the entire day up at Stevens pass and now I know why everyone thinks Snoqualmie sucks. I’m actually quite impressed with myself for how well I did after not going for so long, although one notable fall (which was only one of a handful thank you very much) included my tail bone and a patch of ice. No bueno. I’m walking a bit funny at the moment, but it was all worth it. I knew that I enjoyed snowboarding but I had forgotten really just how much. I’m ready to go back.... right now!!

So there was my weekend in a nut shell (or blog if you want to get technical about it). It was a good one. I’m hoping it will hold me over until Friday.

for every end there is a new beginning

2008-01-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

If I was going to write about 2007 and all of its haps I probably would have on the 31st, but I didn’t... so this is all I’m going to say about it: I laughed, I cried, I wished I could fly. I loved, I lost, and I’m still alive. I’ve set my goals for 2008 and I’m excited to see how many of them I accomplish by 2009.

I have a feeling that this will be a great year for a lot of people. Hopefully you are one of them.

Happy '08 folks.

holy boredom batman

2007-12-28T10:45:00.001-08:00

Christmas for two thousand and seven in officially in the books. The rents and I just chilled, watched sports, played cards, and grazed for two days over a 20 pound turkey my mom decided to make. It was good stuff. I had last Friday through Tuesday off and had to return to work on Wednesday... so I thought.

I have this problem with my alarm clock. The problem is that is doesn’t wake me up. It’s loud and it tends to wake everyone else in the house up, but of course not me. I set the damn thing to go off an hour and a half before I actually need to get up to ensure that I actually do. Wednesday morning was no different. I was still on my five days of no work high and had a two hour fight with the snooze button before actually dragging my ass out of bed to get ready. It takes me an hour+ to get to work so I was super stoked upon arriving and discovering that the building was locked. Awesome. I walked around to a window until I saw someone and motioned for them to let me in. I was one of four people at work. Two of them just so happened to be engineers in my department and as I set my bags down they greeted me with a “So, want to go shoot some pool?”. We all left an hour later. Totally could have stayed in bed... which of course I took into consideration when I woke up yesterday morning feeling like ass. I called in sick. So today is Friday, and I'm at work… alone. I’m the ONLY person in my department here today. *sigh* I still kind of feel ‘bleh’ and really if there isn’t anyone here then there isn’t really much for me to do. I’m leaving at noon. Again, totally could have stayed in bed. The week after next is going to be a drag after all these days off. Not that im complaining about the vay-cay… I’m just sayin.

In other news: I want pho.

my materialistic pondering for the day.

2007-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

Explain to me why I had such a hard time yesterday deciding on whether or not I wanted to buy a $200 pair of jeans but then went out and spent $100 with ease on nothing at all (i.e. dinner, drinks, and a cab). My ass looked fabulous in those pants, but its not getting any cuter by eating out and drinking. Obviously I need to reprioritize my spending habits… and go buy those pants.

Happy Thursday.

Name that tune!

2007-12-19T15:16:00.001-08:00

I am easily amused...

There are quite a few more here!!

There’s a hole in my heart that can only be filled by...

2007-12-18T12:24:00.001-08:00

We’ve all experienced it at some point in our lives… an overwhelming and undeniable pain in your chest from feeling like something is missing. It’s taken me a few years to discover, I have searched my soul for what this void could possibly be, and I have come to realize that this hole in my heart is a direct result of me not going to prom. Tragic isn’t it? It’s a damn good thing I have friends like Crystal.

Here is a run down of some of her past birthdays:
* we dressed up like cowgirls and went to a male, gay, line dancing bar
* white trash whirly ball (it’s a mixture between bumper cars, basketball, and lacrosse)
* 80’s glam karaoke
* while sporting 'I love Seattle' paraphernalia, we took a ‘Ride the Duck’ tour
(where she opted to take over the microphone (and was then offered a job))

Imagine my delight when I found out what was on this years agenda… prom. It’s even in the exact location where our high school’s original magical night was held: The Ballard Elks Club. The theme is ‘Enchantment Under the Sea’ and a decoration committee has already been formed. Life as I know it will forever be changed. At last, I will be whole.

In her own words…

Prizes will be awarded to most closely recreated prom (must bring photo to prove), best lesbian couple, and of course a prom king and queen will be chosen by a hootin and hollerin contest.

There will a photographer taking couples pictures which will be posted on line. A cash bar with bargain basement $2 you call its. A dj featuring smash hits that will range from 1988 to 1999. Tickets will be sold at the door, as Im still figuring out how many hundreds of thousands of dollars this thing is going to cost me.

THIS IS PROM PEOPLE, NOT SOME RIDICULOUS DRESS UP PARTY LIKE I THROW EVERY YEAR. SOMEONE'S GONNA SPIKE THE PUNCH, SOMEONE'S PUKING IN THEIR STRETCH ESCALADE, SOMEONE'S LOSING THEIR VIRGINITY AND SOMEONE GETTING DITCHED BY THEIR DATE BECAUSE THEIR BEST FRIEND IS HOTTER.

So, ladies, go try and squeeze your fat ass into your prom dress. And gentlemen, call up the tux shop in the mall. All the cool kids will be there.

Nothin’ but class. God, I Iove this woman.

Ugly sweaters are apparently all the rage.

2007-12-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

During the holiday season my time always gets spread a little thin. I’m quite the busy bee as is but I try to make an extra effort to see all my peeps. I tend to be a random ‘hey this made me think of you’ year round gift giver, but during Christmas I only shop for a few people. Spending time with the those that I care about is much better than any material gift I could either give or receive. That being said, I had a fairly busy weekend and I don’t see it slowing down before the New Year. My company Christmas party was on Friday (I unfortunately do not have too many exciting things to report since I had to leave early to work at an art show), Saturday I saw I Am Legend (which was slightly depressing, but over all I liked it), spent some QT time over pho, and attended three holiday parties that night (which I wore a dress too I might add (yes, you read that right)). Yesterday I spent time chit chatting with my GF while getting my herrr did, and then chillaxed at home with the roomies for a while.

Side story time - Last night Gene and I decided to go out to Rebar (which I hadn’t done in way too long)… we listened to some good tunes, and shoot some pool. For the record, I am excellent within a 2 to 4 beer range. Really, I am. I won three straight games (which he wasn’t too thrilled about) and then decided to play a fourth with a friend who severely kicked my ass (which I’m sure he loved). He literally cleared all his balls off the table without me taking down a single one (that sounded funny (I'm that mature)). On my fourth turn, him needing only the 8 ball to finish me off, I decided just to go ahead and do it for him. Yep, the one ball I got in was the 8 ball. That totally ruined Christmas.

Moving along…

About 8 or 9 years ago some of the older house heads around Seattle started throwing annual ugly Christmas sweater parties. They give out prizes for the best(worst) get up, and I’m proud to say that my brother has won at least once (pictured below on far left with antlers on). He’s kind of a big deal. So anyways, I’m not sure that all credit can be given to them for this particular phenomena, but it has grown into quite the wide spread craze around town just over the last year or so. I know of nine sweater parties this year... NINE. I’ve already attended two (although I am slightly ashamed to say that I was without sweater goodness). I think I had the conversation at least a dozen times within the last week about how all of the random thrift stores around town have been wiped clean of any worthy attire for these functions. Madness I tell you. Hopefully I’ll be able to dig up one from a past years party to wear to the annual shindig in two weeks.

Merchants Café ’04 – don’t bother asking wtf I am doing because I really don’t know…

On my agenda for this week: two dinners, a birthday party, I’d really like to go see Blue Scholars & Common Market at Neumos on Wednesday, two kickboxing classes, Taradactyl is flying in (YES!!), our (Lot Boys) monthly club night on Thursday, a football game on Sunday, I’ll mostly likely be racking up a few OT hours at the jobby job, and some where in between all that I will be doing what little shopping I need to. *wipes brow* At least I will be getting a four day weekend.

Only five more days... Gonna make it.. gonna make it.. gonna make it…

PUI (public urination issues)

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

I’m not a big fan of using public restrooms. If they’re empty, cool. If I know you and we’re friends, it’s not as weird. It’s something about a stranger being able to hear me pee that just makes me uncomfortable. Generally if the bathroom is full there is plenty of other commotion going on, but say there is just myself and one other person in there... totally awkward. You can tell if they’re the same way because both of you will just sit there for a while in complete silence. It’s almost like a sit off of sorts. Who will break the seal first?? There are a few ways to solve such a problem:

1) You can just overcome your discomfort and let the other stall occupant listen to you relieve yourself (not my first choice)

2) Pee as you flush since the toilet is louder (but then water splashes all over and you now have to wipe your legs off as well.. not the greatest selection but it works)

3) Wait for the other person to do one of the previous two options and do your business once they leave (guess which one I do)

Then there are the talkers. This mostly happens with coworkers. You’re in a smaller confined restroom space so to ‘ease’ the situation people make small talk. Not me. There are only two stalls in the ladies room at my work… if I walk in and there happens to already be someone else doing their thing, I’ll leave, go around the corner, act busy, and wait for them to come out. Sometimes these scenarios are unavoidable though and then I will typically just sit there and wait for them to leave. I would much rather have them think that I'm dropping lunch of at the pool than know that they heard me pee. Odd, but true. Perhaps I should consider cutting down my water intake during the day…. yeah, wont happen.

In other non-PUI news… TARA GETS HERE IN SEVEN DAYS!!!! (I’m sure she will be please to be included within this blog)

TBMs are soon to be under way. Dance floors will be filled. Let the games begin.

Happy Thursday!
I’m out.

Tis the season for holiday parties!!

2007-12-12T15:56:00.001-08:00

Up until a few years ago I never went to any of my company related xmas functions, but I soon came to realize what fun I was missing out on. There is always that guy or girl that just gets entirely way too trashed and makes a complete ass out of themselves. (I am already fully aware that I am going to hell therefore do not feel bad about laughing at others when they do such things as this). All of a sudden Jane Doe in accounting thinks she has some sweet stripper moves, Joe Shmoe in purchasing thinks he can break dance, or a few random people start making out in front of their HR personnel. It’s awesome. I use to work at a fairly well known hair salon and they were infamous for causing such a ruckus that it was a difficult task to find a bar or restaurant that would allow them have their parties there. Someone once ripped a bathroom sink straight off the wall. Seriously, WTF were they doing?? I always just assumed someone was getting the ‘business’ and well, the sink just broke. What is it about the holidays that somehow make people throw out all their inhibitions and decide to get totally tanked in from of all of their coworkers of all people? And whose bright idea is it to have open bars at such get togethers? I’d like to shake that person’s hand.

Walter Gustufson (Gus Gus for short) was a gift from my roomies last year. He was my fish. My friend. My pal. He died a while back and I miss that little guy. He was black with googly eyes and reminded me of a dog… only he had gills, was much smaller, and lived under water. He was a social fish so in an effort to advance his social skills I made two attempts at giving him a friend. The first was Johnny 5. He was a smaller black/orange/white fish with over sized eyes. He wasn’t the prettiest, but that of course was exactly why I picked him. Ugly fish need love too. I really enjoyed saying “HI, FIVE!!” and then putting my hand up to the tank. He never quite got that joke. The second was Obi Juan.. a bigger, skinny goldfish that constantly picked on Gus Gus. I was not a fan. Feeding time was hard on poor Gussy since Obi would nip at him every time he got near the food, (such a bitch), so I started hand feeding Gus. Twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, I hand fed my goldfish. It was a bonding experience really. So anyways, I ended up making a very fatal mistake one evening. I changed their bowl water and accidentally added too much filter cleaner. Obi was a goner by morning and Gus met his fate shortly after. I buried him under the cherry tree in the front yard. *sniff* I killed my friend. I’ve been wanting to get a new fish ever since but I knew there needed to be a mourning period. I didn’t want to displace or hide my feelings of sadness and remorse by jumping into a new relationship with another fish. It has been a while now and I feel like I have had the proper grieving time. I am now emotionally stable enough to find another fish in the sea…. or down at Pet Smart. Whatever.

I have come to the conclusion that there is some universal message board that sends a notice out to the male species when a female is either taken off of, or put back on the market. Kind of like a “Nope, don’t even try” or an “OK, go ahead” broadcast. I have been hit on by more random guys in the last month than I have in the last year… *shrugs*. It’s ridiculous. I’m a social bird, I go out a lot, but I’m not huge on PDA, so its not like anyone could ever really tell when I do or do not have a BF unless they actually know me. It just works out that I tend to not be hit on when I’m taken, and then a damn breaks and randoms start flooding in when I’m single (with no one interesting I might add). This message board is really the only conclusion I have come to as to how they know such things. Should be flattering, right? Not so much. I don’t like being hit on. Most of the tactics guys use are just lame-o, and it’s pretty obvious majority of the time that they don’t really know anything about who they’re hitting on anyways. Unless you are my friend or posses that certain… how you say ... GRRRRR!!!... then please excuse me while I put my “Nope” sign back up.

I bought a new book yesterday. It’s called ‘Why Men Love Bitches’.
Go figure.

IT'S A GIRL!!!

2007-12-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

I love my sister. I hadn’t talked with her in quite a while and on Monday night we were able to have quite a lengthy phone conversation. She lives in Louisiana with her husband Rob and is pregnant with her first child. Side note - I am, and always have been, the last person to know ANYTHING in my family. I once found out that an Aunt had passed away a few weeks after the fact. That’s a topic for another day.. anyways, when I returned from Burningman in August I got a phone call from her one morning and she said “So, since you are always the last to know I figured I’d call you first…”. I immediately knew she was pregnant. I got super screamy girly excited. This will be the first offspring from my brother, sister, or I in my family. Two days ago I received a text in the morning from Rob saying that they found out it was a baby girl. Now, I've always wanted a little brother so I figured here was my shot (sorta) but truth be told I couldn’t be more excited either way. I’m going to have a niece and I'm stoked.

So aside from the newbie our conversation mostly surrounded our parents. A few weeks ago (in the middle of a Red Robin I might add) my mom and dad told me that they are moving back to the east coast. They are originally from the EC and majority of my family still lives there. I am the only one who lives in Washington. My dad is leaving right after Christmas and my mom will most likely stay here just long enough to sell off their business. They pretty much gave me a 20 day notice. I have kinda known that they would eventually move back, I just didn’t think it would be this soon. The inner child in me is scared and a little freaked out because I have always lived within a fairly close proximity of my parents and could see them whenever I wanted to, and I am slightly regretful at this point because that does not happen nearly as often as it should. I am fully aware that I am defiantly responsible for this. I also have a lot of unresolved ‘issues’ from my childhood that keep me a little emotionally distant and all of a sudden I now feel like I have a deadline to ‘fix’ things(which I’m not too stoked about). I keep reminding myself that just because they may physically be further away, they are not really ‘going’ anywhere. The adult in me…. that independent, already been on my own for 10 years, get over your shit woman, and stop being a selfish baby part… is pretty excited for them. All I want is for my parents to be happy, and I think this is a definite step in that direction. There is a great job opportunity awaiting my Dad (and he deserves it), they’ll get to regularly be around their families for the first time in 30 years, and I know that this is where they ultimately want to be. If this is what they want, then I want it for them.

Things are definitely changing all around for my family. I’m nervous yet anxious to see what happens… and of course im looking forward to meet this little chica!!!

It’s definitely a pho day.

2007-12-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

It’s Friday. I’m at work. I’m tired. I had a late night last night which included 5 bars, a concert/performance by someone I had never heard of before, one failed attempt at playing pool, a grocery store adventure, and somewhere in the mix there were a few cocktails. For whatever reason, surfing the interweb until around 4am just seemed like a great idea. Some times I really am fantastic. Six more hours until freedom. Gonna make it.. gonna make it.. gonna make it…

Explain to me why it is that I have ESP about the most random shit. Why I had a dream about Britney Spears being pregnant the first time around is beyond me. One time I dreamt about my girlfriend Julia’s cousin opening a second art store, which low and behold will now being opening next Thursday, and most recently I had one about that damned ‘Shot of Love’ show with Tila Tequila… only it was mainly about Dominico. I admit it, I watch the show. Its mindless entertainment and I’m addicted to VH1 reality TV. Sad, but true. So anyways, they just announced that they are coming out with a second season staring guess who…Dominico. I’m creepy.

Its almost 2008. That just seems so weird to me. I remember last new years so vividly and it does not seem like it has been 12 months already. Then again, I’m sure I could create some insanely long list of things that occurred this year that would make me feel as though it has been longer. We’ll pass on making that for now. I am really a we, btw.

Speaking of NYE, Ms. Tara Leigh is making her return to Seattle in thirteen days. THIRTEEN DAYS PEOPLE!!! I feel like I haven’t since her since back in Nam. Girly shrieks of some sort may escape from my vocal cords. Oh my good GAWD I’m excited!!

Who knew that a half hour in a sandwich shop would make me ponder such things?

2007-12-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

I was sitting over at the mall a few days ago eating a delicious turkey sammy for lunch and found myself staring at an elderly couple. Now, you’d probably think that I was being rude since the woman was crippled and could barely hold herself up at the table, but in fact what I was thinking about was how cute they were for being the epitome of ‘for better or worse’ and ‘in sickness and in health’. It started to make me wonder, as I sometimes do, what that feels like. That 100%, no bout a doubt it, going to be by each others sides, even if I drive you crazy, even if you’re sick and I have to take care of you, forever, no matter what kind of love. Part of me wonders if that even exists anymore… and then reality hit me over the head with a large board in the shape of my roommates. Out of the hundred something young couples I may know they have the one relationship (that I can recall at this moment) that I can’t see ending. They are not the most perfect of individuals, no one is, but they seem to be pretty perfect for each other. It’s gross.

I’ve never been one who cared or worried about being married. I never had the white dress/walking down the isle dreams when I was young. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to share my life with someone, I just don’t feel like I need the piece of paper in order to say “You are who I want to be with”. Many arguments can be made about me saying that is all it is, but unfortunately today it has been reduced by a large percent of our population to exactly that. Just check out the divorce rate. It’s a piece of paper that holds you together no more than a puppy would. If two people both mutually want to be with one another, they will be. If someone decides to be done, then they’re done. There really isn’t any way of holding someone accountable for not following through with things they say or promise to you once they’re feelings are just… gone. Including marriage. I know countless people who have gone through relationships of all lengths in which somewhere along the lines someone just wasn’t there anymore and inevitably all of the ‘I’ll do this’ and ‘I’ll do that’ things that were said just become empty words. I’ve been on both sides of this equation and reasons vary. Shit happens, feelings change, people are scared of sharing emotions, etc. I suppose that is what makes certain relationships so special though. It’s that kind of love that I mentioned before. When you know, you know, and when you don’t know, you try your hardest anyways and stick with it.

It makes me smile when I see people who are still together in their old age like this particular couple I saw. Just imagine how many dark times they may have had in their 30, 40, or 50+ years together. On the flip side, I’m sure those times made their blue skies a little brighter. He was obviously willing to do whatever he could, even if it was a difficult task. Taking care of someone while they are physically incapable of doing so themselves is a big commitment… the kind of commitment from another person that many people unfortunately may never experience. I thought they were beautiful. Truth be told that I've actually gone there the past three days with some hope of seeing them again. It’s a bit stalkerish, I know. It was also because of the great sammys. Who knew that a half hour in a sandwich shop would make me ponder such things?

On a more humorous note, I’ve had the discussion quite a few times over the years with various people about how I think that everyone should come with a warning sign on them. Something kinda like when you buy a car... that sticker on the outside window that lets you know all about what you’re buying before you take it off the lot and it losses value. Seriously, you know it would be useful. It would go something like….

SPECIAL FEATURES:
* great sense of humor
* enjoys cuddling
* educated
* excellent cook
* does own laundry
* likes sports
* goal driven

WARNING:
* codependent tendencies
* lacks basic communication skills
* has not unpacked previous relationship baggage
* emotionally detached
* stubborn
* lengthy jail record
* drug addict
* doesn’t like ‘Ferris Buehler’s Day Off’

Naturally you would have to pick and choose your battles on importance, for no one is perfect, but at least you’ll know what you’re in for. People can then preview and make a well educated decision about whether or not they would like to take you home with them… or vice versa. You would not be allowed to create your own of course. If people were that open and honest from the get go then they wouldn’t need the stickers now would they??

Hmmm…I wonder what mine would say.

mid day ramblings...

2007-12-05T15:00:00.001-08:00

My work is doing an ‘Angel Tree’ for Xmas this year, so I picked out a 5 year old boy, went out last Saturday, and bought him some T-shirts. Something tells me that his parents probably filled his wish list out because I’m not sure that I’ve met a 5 year old that would prefer clothing over toys… but that’s not the point here. The gifts were due by today, and of course I forgot to wrap everything, so I brought his presents to work with me, and went on a wrapping paraphernalia mission during my lunch break. List of things to buy: one box, small pack of tissue paper, small pack of wrapping paper. That’s it. I tried to find those folded packs of paper but apparently bags are the new hit these days, buying a single box is apparently unheard of, and tissue comes is a variety of packs that have either 2, 4, or 1,000 pieces in it. One Bartell Drugs, a Safeway, Walgreens, Hallmark store, and an hour later I found myself walking back to work with over 100 sq ft of wrapping paper, a ridiculously large bundle of tissue, and a pack of three boxes. Doesn’t anyone sell anything in small portions anymore? Totally unnecessary. I just killed a few Charlie Brown trees.

I’d like to volunteer at a shelter or food bank during this holiday season. I used to coordinate trips to a local food distribution warehouse at my last job and could call them up again, but I think I’d like to be more in front of poeple than behind the scenes. I need to start researching. Feel free to throw out some ideas.

Seriously, my ass is in pain. How on earth I managed to pull every muscle from my neck down through my rear while playing dodgeball is beyond me. It’s not like I haven’t been playing every week for the past few months or anything. Sheesh. I skipped kickboxing last night in an effort to not have to undress, dress, and undress myself again before the days end. One clothing change into my PJs was good for me thank you very much.

The new Alicia Keys album is kind of the dopeness. Go buy the album and listen to it so we can then further discuss…

carry on.

Give that muppet a cookie!!!

2007-12-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

Right as I came into work this morning a co-worker was discussing how he had recently seen a news report about how the Cookie Monster, beloved sugar eating cookie grubber on Sesame Street (as if I need to tell you that), would no longer be aloud to say “C is for cookie”. Why?? Because kids in this country are too over weight. Are people seriously that blind to their own contributions to the situation? Don’t you think parents who let their kids go to town on a bag of Tollhouse might be a great place to start battling this issue, as opposed to changing a make believe character? The Cookie Monster didn’t turn the television on for your child instead of encouraging him to play outside or be more active. Take it out on the muppet why don’t you?? Seriously people, you’ve GOT to be kidding me.

So anyways, I started doing a little research and apparently this has been an ongoing thing for years. This is just one of the stories among many of the online petitions to save the CM that I found.

******************************************************

Cookie Monster curbs cookie habit
Cookie Monster, the biscuit-eating puppet on US children's show Sesame Street, will cut down on his favorite food as part of an anti-obesity drive.

The blue-furred muppet who used to sing "C is for Cookie" will now tell viewers that "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food".

Each episode of the show's new series will begin with a "health tip" about healthy foods and physical activity.

A Sesame Street representative said the popular character would be "broadening his eating habits" in future.

Talking vegetables

"We are not putting him on a diet, and we would never take the position of no sugar," said Dr Rosemarie T Truglio, the show's vice president of research and education. "We're teaching him moderation."

New characters such as talking aubergines and carrots will be introduced, while guests stars such as soul singer Alicia Keys will talk about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Almost one in three children in the US is now overweight, as opposed to one in 25 in the UK.

Sesame Street begins its 36th season on America's PBS network on Monday. It is broadcast in over 120 countries, with more than 20 local versions being made.

Last year Cookie Monster - originally played by Muppets regular Frank Oz, the voice of Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear - revealed that before eating his first cookie his name was Sid.

******************************************************

I wonder what Sid has to say about all of this.

1, 2, 3... BUCKWILD!!

2007-12-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

In the off season of my championship kickball team, *ahem*, I fancy myself as a bit of a baller. A dodgeballer that is. This is my story…

Last fall was the first time my team and I had played in a dodgeball league together. We came, we played, we threw out our arms, we barely escaped being kicked out of the league…. you know!? The norm. Dodgeball, in case you were unaware, is a very serious thing. Or should I say that the players take it too seriously? There is nothing better than watching a grown ass man storm off the court when the ref tells him that he is out when he CLEARLY feels otherwise. People cheat, they get in verbal arguments, majority of the guys in the league find great pleasure in annihilating the girls on opposing teams, and I’ve personally found myself wanted to knock a few bitches out. Eh, I’m competitive when it comes to sports and so I am guilty and can sometimes fall into that ‘too serious’ mentality. Sue me. So anyways, we decided to join forces again this year and get a little BUCKWILD!! <--- that’s our team name (if you haven’t figured that out by now).

So the way it works is that 6 people start each game (3 guys and 3 girls), you play as many games as you can within a 15 minute period, and whichever team wins the most games wins the match. You get points per match you win and the larger the spread obviously the better. There are only two matches per night in the regular season but up to three in the playoffs, which were last night. We were ranked third seed and made it into the playoffs, but we would have to win our two scheduled matches in order to play in a third for the championship. Last week we had about a 40 minute break in between matches so naturally we thought it would be a great idea to leave, have a few Jager bombs, and come back. Phenomenal idea. We creamed the second team we played. Yesterday being playoffs and all we definitely needed to be on top of our game… so we met at Outback for a few rounds before heading into battle. Not sure that I can give credit to the JBs for the wins, but I found this highly amusing so it was worth mentioning.

Here’s how the night went down..

Match #1: BUCKWILD!! vs. Balls of Fury

They only had 7 people on their team which can kind sucks because you’re pretty much dodging, dipping, ducking, diving, and dodging the entire 15 minutes. Gets kind of tiresome. I know, I do it almost every match… last night included since we only had four girls the whole night *wipes brow*. ANYwho, we won the first game, and then lost the next three. Won two games to get it all tied, and that led us into sudden death. That game lasted a few minutes (which is along time in dodgeball) and it came down to me and one dude. He threw, almost hit me, I returned fire, and I totally got him out… *chuckles*. He’s probably pissed. Oh well... ON TO THE SEMI FINALS!!!

Match #2: BUCKWILD!! vs. 9/11 Truth Commission

*COUGH*cheaters*COUGH*

Now that I have that out of my system…. It came down to the wire with the same chain of events: 1-0, 1-3, 3-3, 4-3. We almost lost this one so a big ‘thank you’ is in order for the ‘high ball’ rule… you throw a ball too high twice in a match (like, the only place that ball is going to hit is someone’s head) and you’re out. It was 3 on 2 with their best guy in when he was called out for a high ball. YES!! The chick was easy to pick off after that (no offense chica). WE’RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!!.... wait, no… NEXT!!

Match #3: BUCKWILD!! vs. Team Dave

Every season there is a team made up of individuals who do not know eachother. They sign themselves up through the league and they are all placed on one team. Good way to meet people I suppose.. this was that team. I gotta hand it to these guys and gals, they played great together. They made smart moves, their girls were not afraid of catching (and did), and they were the most challenging/fun of the evening to play.

We must like the pressure of being behind or something because the SAME SHIT HAPPENED!! We won the first game, they won the three following, we came back to tie, and it all came down to one final game. This was for all the red rubber balls in the gym folks. It was down to their best guy and girl, my teammate, and I... (side note - this chick also played last year and single handled beat our entire team. It was 6 of us against her and she handed our asses to us). So there we were. Two on two. Now, I’d love to tell you that we won, but we did not. Im not exactly sure who picked who off first but it came down to one guy and me.. again.. only this time he caught my ball and I was out. Game over. Second place is bitter sweet but they deserved to win. I think its kinda cool that a group of people that didn’t even know one another came together and won. Bravo to them!! *sobs for us*

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm over it.

We made a few friends over the course of the season, mostly by sharing beers at a local pub afterwards, and we also made a few enemies, one of which being a ref (oops). All and all it was good times, I had fun, and although I would love to be able to add ‘Dodge Ball Champion’ to my list of accomplishments I am pleased that we took 2nd after only playing two seasons.

Good job, kids!! I’ll see you in a month for winter league. I’m calling it now… we’re winning this time around!!!

BUCKWILD!!, meet the internet... Internet, meet BUCKWILD!!

(we were having a Braveheart kind of evening)

Oh yeah, just in case any of you care - my arms, back, and ass (don’t ask why) are KILLING me today!!! Dodge ball is apparently the new full body work out. You should try it.

Anyone feel like volunteering and giving me a massage?

Ok.Bye.

Seattle got its first taste of snow in the city yesterday.

2007-12-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

The first fall of the year always reminds me of Skyla. She's been my best friend since I was 8 years old and we lived three houses down the street from each other until we were 14/15. We never went to school with one another until 9th grade when I FINALLY convinced my parents to let me go to public school with my friends, as opposed to Catholic school where I TOTALLY fit in (that's a story for another time). Anyway, every winter when it would snow, and the school closure reports would come on, Sklya would always see hers first because public school started before private. As soon as that message scrolled across the bottom of the screen she'd get dressed in her green snow suit, march her toosh down to my house and wait to see if my school was out too. It didnt mater if there was an inch or two feet, it was a given that she'd be on my door step in about 5 minutes flat of that first notice. We had a pretty long driveway so there was a good warning time for my mom to tell me that she was headed my direction wanting me to get out of bed and come out and play. My mom still to this day will call me and say "Here comes Skyla!!" when it snows. I'll never get tired of hearing that.

*side note - one shitty thing for her: at the end of every public school year the snow days that were taken off were always added onto the end of the year. Private schools were not were not. My summers, inevitably, were always longer. Heh, sucker.

I'll be sure to give you a shout out on the album when its released.

2007-11-30T12:02:00.000-08:00

Tara loves me. Its obvious. Either that or she just feels obligated to help those who are less blog-intelligent. In this particular case, that would be me. *ahem*

“Thank you Tara for setting up my blog for me!!!”

this is dactyl test posting for zilla...

2007-11-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

since she is RETARDED!!

officially