I would like to take a brief moment to apologize to my poor neglected readers, one of whom yelled at me for not blogging enough lately. He says I making it hard to cyber stalk me. Srangely, it didn't sound all that creepy when he said it.
The reason I haven't been blogging is that I've been insane busy and the weather has been pretty nice so I've been outside when I haven't been busy. I guess I could take my laptop outside with me, but wouldn't I rather be riding my bike or walking somewhere or just playing about? Yes, yes I would. And if you would rather be sitting under a tree blogging (which actually doesn't sound too bad, but not nearly as fun as everything else) there is something wrong with you.
What have I been so busy doing? Well, nothing new really. Work keeps me busy, and now I have a job where I actually have stuff to do (crazy, right?). I was blogging so frequently for a while because JobofDeath allowed me to dink around on the interwebs all day. Not so much this new job (which I really enjoy).
I'm also doing the class thing, which comes with a lot of reading. Boring reading. Restoration through Victorian literature. Weeeeee. That reminds me, I have to figure out what I want to write my paper on.
Other than that I am... playing outside, dancing, occasionally hanging out with friends when time and energy permits. It's a good life being this occupied, but who knows how long I can keep it up.
Oh, and I turn 24 tomorrow. That means I, and several friends, are going to celebrate ME tonight. I'm excited.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Werd O' Teh Dai
Yes, I'm obsessed with language. After my last post about semantics, I'm now expanding your vocabulary with my new favourite word:
Tautology
It essentially means needless repetition, but it's really much more fun than that. Or at least it's fun if you enjoy being a pain in the ass, and really, who doesn't? Here are some fun tautological instances that have come up in my recent past:
I'm always right, except when I'm not right.
Me: You should ask your fish monger.
Friend: What's a fish monger?
Me: A guy who mongers fish.
What is shit? Well, it's shit!
See, isn't it fun? Of course, it's also a very dangerous concept. Tautology adds nothing to a statement but extra words. I love it when used in jest, just to be a smart ass about things. But it's not always appropriate. For instance, you wouldn't want to use tautology to answer a test question (what is the the square root of the hypotenuse? It is the hypotenuse to the 1/2 power).
In any case, I think it's fun. Go forth and enjoy it. Even when it gets annoying, at least you will know what it's called. Hooray!
Tautology
It essentially means needless repetition, but it's really much more fun than that. Or at least it's fun if you enjoy being a pain in the ass, and really, who doesn't? Here are some fun tautological instances that have come up in my recent past:
I'm always right, except when I'm not right.
Me: You should ask your fish monger.
Friend: What's a fish monger?
Me: A guy who mongers fish.
What is shit? Well, it's shit!
See, isn't it fun? Of course, it's also a very dangerous concept. Tautology adds nothing to a statement but extra words. I love it when used in jest, just to be a smart ass about things. But it's not always appropriate. For instance, you wouldn't want to use tautology to answer a test question (what is the the square root of the hypotenuse? It is the hypotenuse to the 1/2 power).
In any case, I think it's fun. Go forth and enjoy it. Even when it gets annoying, at least you will know what it's called. Hooray!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
All the Pretty Girls Go To the City
The other day a friend of mine told me I am pretty.
It's kinda funny, but I have never considered myself to be pretty. That's not to say that I think I'm unattractive - any of you who actually know me know that's absolutely not true. It's just that pretty is not the way I would choose to describe myself.
Pretty is just a small step above cute, an adjective which I absolutely abhor. Both terms suggest a lack of sophistication. Pretty is pleasing in a simple way, kind of standard. To be pretty is to be attractive, but not in any special way.
Cute should be reserved for puppies, kittens, and shoes. If you want to get on my bad side, tell me I'm cute.
Much better adjectives to describe attractiveness:
Beautiful
Striking
Alluring
Breath-taking
Comely
Gorgeous
Ravishing
Stunning
Pulchritudinous
I'm not saying that all of those apply to me, but I'm not saying they don't either. My point is that I'm certain there is more to my beauty than just prettiness. I'm not a traditional beauty, and that's part of the appeal.
Or maybe I'm giving semantics way too much weight. But, since we have the tools to be precise with our descriptions, why not take advantage of them? There's so much subtlety and art in language (less in English than some others, but it's still there) that most people simply ignore. It makes me sad. I urge everyone to really think about how you articulate your thoughts and utilize all the tools at your disposal.
It's kinda funny, but I have never considered myself to be pretty. That's not to say that I think I'm unattractive - any of you who actually know me know that's absolutely not true. It's just that pretty is not the way I would choose to describe myself.
Pretty is just a small step above cute, an adjective which I absolutely abhor. Both terms suggest a lack of sophistication. Pretty is pleasing in a simple way, kind of standard. To be pretty is to be attractive, but not in any special way.
Cute should be reserved for puppies, kittens, and shoes. If you want to get on my bad side, tell me I'm cute.
Much better adjectives to describe attractiveness:
Beautiful
Striking
Alluring
Breath-taking
Gorgeous
Ravishing
Stunning
Pulchritudinous
I'm not saying that all of those apply to me, but I'm not saying they don't either. My point is that I'm certain there is more to my beauty than just prettiness. I'm not a traditional beauty, and that's part of the appeal.
Or maybe I'm giving semantics way too much weight. But, since we have the tools to be precise with our descriptions, why not take advantage of them? There's so much subtlety and art in language (less in English than some others, but it's still there) that most people simply ignore. It makes me sad. I urge everyone to really think about how you articulate your thoughts and utilize all the tools at your disposal.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Something Else to Read!
Dad and I have started a blog specifically about biking. It's just getting started, but it might be interesting to some of you. Plus it's a whole new way you can cyber-stalk me, if that's what you're into.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Have You Missed Me?
I've been spending all my free time outside the last few days. The weather here has been completely perfect and so, of course, I had to take advantage. Not that I've really had a lot of free time. The breif respite between spring and summer classes is over so I'm back in teh skules and I'm working as much as I can.
The job is going really well, actually. I'm not quite up to as many hours as I would ultimately like, but I'm pretty close. I really like what I'm doing. As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of floating from library branch to library branch as needed. I have a few branches already that are my favourites, and at some point I would like to get a permanent gig at one of those. The nice thing about that is, even if I'm only working 20hrs a week there, I would get benefits. Benefits are good.
Class also started up again this week. I'm taking two Lit History classes this summer, one at a time. They each go about a month and a half. So there's a lot to cover and not much time in which to cover it. So far I'm pretty impressed with the Prof of class #1. He's really easy to listen to and keeps my attention. That's important because the class is 3 hours long.
Like I said in the beginning, I've been spending all my time outside. Despite that, I haven't really found a lot of time to go biking. I've gone on two really short rides this week - both on my fixed-gear. Yesterday I rode Frankenbike about 6 miles and walked probably 3 or 4 miles. Plus I went dancing last night. By the time I went to bed, I thought my legs were going to fall off, and this morning I woke up to a painful cramp in my calf. It was a good day.
I'm sure you're all very concerned with my exercise routine... I only mention it because it's really nice that I've actually been outside DOING something. I feel like I'm accomplishing something, I guess. Or maybe I'm just writing about it so you who check this blog often will understand why it hasn't been updated in a while.
The job is going really well, actually. I'm not quite up to as many hours as I would ultimately like, but I'm pretty close. I really like what I'm doing. As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of floating from library branch to library branch as needed. I have a few branches already that are my favourites, and at some point I would like to get a permanent gig at one of those. The nice thing about that is, even if I'm only working 20hrs a week there, I would get benefits. Benefits are good.
Class also started up again this week. I'm taking two Lit History classes this summer, one at a time. They each go about a month and a half. So there's a lot to cover and not much time in which to cover it. So far I'm pretty impressed with the Prof of class #1. He's really easy to listen to and keeps my attention. That's important because the class is 3 hours long.
Like I said in the beginning, I've been spending all my time outside. Despite that, I haven't really found a lot of time to go biking. I've gone on two really short rides this week - both on my fixed-gear. Yesterday I rode Frankenbike about 6 miles and walked probably 3 or 4 miles. Plus I went dancing last night. By the time I went to bed, I thought my legs were going to fall off, and this morning I woke up to a painful cramp in my calf. It was a good day.
I'm sure you're all very concerned with my exercise routine... I only mention it because it's really nice that I've actually been outside DOING something. I feel like I'm accomplishing something, I guess. Or maybe I'm just writing about it so you who check this blog often will understand why it hasn't been updated in a while.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thoughts on Gender
I just recently went through an ordeal that has me pondering how you guys think. I wouldn't give it a second thought if it weren't almost exactly like something a few of my friends have experienced recently too. I'm not going to go into great detail in any case, to protect the guilty (they might know who they are anyway). The duration of the ordeal, and the specifics of what it involved varied, but it was, in all cases, basically this:
Boy meets Girl, they hit it off, have wicked chemistry. There is some sloppy make-outs and maybe a date or two. Things seem to be going pretty well for a while, there is potential for a real romance, but they're still in the water-testing stage. Neither party is anywhere close to falling madly in love or anything, or necessarily looking to fall madly in love anytime soon. It's just one of those things, just one of those crazy things, one of those bells that now and then rings.
Then all of a sudden, Boy drops off the face of the planet and starts giving girl the cold shoulder. He stops calling. He'll still answer her calls, but won't be much for conversation. If they are together in person, he'll be distant and cold. Basically, he decides to be a big jerk.
I have a friend who was on the Boy side of this situation once, and I (after kicking him for being an ass) kinda got his side of the story. He said that he felt like she wanted more out of the relationship than he was willing to give. He wasn't looking for anything serious, and he thought that she was. I happen to be friends with Girl in that case too, and she was really not looking for seriousness, just some fun. She was annoyed at Boy for being so dumb about it, but she didn't waste any time crying into her pillow about it or anything like that.
In my case, I don't know what Boy was thinking exactly, but I would bet it was something along those same lines. The thing is, I was so far from being serious about him that I was also dating two other guys at the same time. I'm not sure he knew about it (because it's kind of a jerky thing to flaunt boyfriend#2 in boyfriend#1's face), but we had clearly established that we were not serious at all. Still, he started blowing me off and I have a feeling it's for the same bull-shit reason that "I'm looking for more than he's willing to give right now."
Ok, so... why is it that this happens? Do you guys just automatically assume that we gals are crazy into you and looking to get hitched or something? Gender stereotyping? I don't know. Why can't we be expected to want a regular, non-serious, buddy with whom we occasionally swap spit? It's not fair.
I, of course, have to address the way the situation has been handled. Seriously, how hard is it for you guys to give us the heads up about what's going on? And if you just bothered to talk to us about it, you might find out that we're really not expecting anything more than some no-strings-attached fun. Giving the cold shoulder is kinda childish and really annoying. You guys who do this should know better by now. I believe there is a term for this kind of behaviour... now what is it? Oh yeah! Ass-Hole
Boy meets Girl, they hit it off, have wicked chemistry. There is some sloppy make-outs and maybe a date or two. Things seem to be going pretty well for a while, there is potential for a real romance, but they're still in the water-testing stage. Neither party is anywhere close to falling madly in love or anything, or necessarily looking to fall madly in love anytime soon. It's just one of those things, just one of those crazy things, one of those bells that now and then rings.
Then all of a sudden, Boy drops off the face of the planet and starts giving girl the cold shoulder. He stops calling. He'll still answer her calls, but won't be much for conversation. If they are together in person, he'll be distant and cold. Basically, he decides to be a big jerk.
I have a friend who was on the Boy side of this situation once, and I (after kicking him for being an ass) kinda got his side of the story. He said that he felt like she wanted more out of the relationship than he was willing to give. He wasn't looking for anything serious, and he thought that she was. I happen to be friends with Girl in that case too, and she was really not looking for seriousness, just some fun. She was annoyed at Boy for being so dumb about it, but she didn't waste any time crying into her pillow about it or anything like that.
In my case, I don't know what Boy was thinking exactly, but I would bet it was something along those same lines. The thing is, I was so far from being serious about him that I was also dating two other guys at the same time. I'm not sure he knew about it (because it's kind of a jerky thing to flaunt boyfriend#2 in boyfriend#1's face), but we had clearly established that we were not serious at all. Still, he started blowing me off and I have a feeling it's for the same bull-shit reason that "I'm looking for more than he's willing to give right now."
Ok, so... why is it that this happens? Do you guys just automatically assume that we gals are crazy into you and looking to get hitched or something? Gender stereotyping? I don't know. Why can't we be expected to want a regular, non-serious, buddy with whom we occasionally swap spit? It's not fair.
I, of course, have to address the way the situation has been handled. Seriously, how hard is it for you guys to give us the heads up about what's going on? And if you just bothered to talk to us about it, you might find out that we're really not expecting anything more than some no-strings-attached fun. Giving the cold shoulder is kinda childish and really annoying. You guys who do this should know better by now. I believe there is a term for this kind of behaviour... now what is it? Oh yeah! Ass-Hole
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Help Me Please
Ok kids, it's time to get serious about this fund raising thing. The MS 150 is a little over a month away and I need you all to help me out a little by contributing. Wanna read the official spiel? Of course you do! So this is what they e-mailed me to forward to my friends to get them to help me:
Dear Friends and Family,
Dear Friends and Family,
The National MS Society is kicking off Bike MS: Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride campaign. I am planning to be a part of that event in June 2008 and I am asking you to join me in the movement to end MS by making a contribution to support my effort.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. They simultaneously fund research for a cure while also helping people who currently live with MS lead more fulfilling lives. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to see for yourself all the good they've done for the MS community. More than 400,000 Americans live with MS, and your support can and will make changes in their lives. Please help by making a donation - large or small - to end MS. Or, why not join me at the event? Become a participant and side by side, as teammates, we can work together to raise the funds to make a difference.
Whatever you can give will help! I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.
Sincerely,
Cassie
Click here to get to my personal page and make a secure, online donation.
To send a donation: Make all checks payable to: "National MS Society" Mail to: Yeah, totally not putting my personal address on my blog.
Not a bad spiel, eh? Anyway, you know you want to donate! If you don't want to do it online, you can give me money in person (if you're someone who sees me) or you can e-mail me (lady_zoz at yahoo dot com) and I'll send you my address so you can mail your check... unless you're someone I don't know at all, because that's creepy. If I don't personally know you, please just donate online.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Anything on Two Wheels
I'm really excited about biking this summer, now that the season is finally here and I'm getting into groove of biking regularly. I've been kicking butt at it too... for the most part. I've always had a problem "tackling" hills, but so far they haven't been much of a problem for me.
Today though, I had a really off day. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I started my ride with 3 miles of pretty steep uphill. That wiped me out for the rest of the ride, I think. But any excuses aside, I wasn't feeling as good as I have on the other rides I've been on. Some days you got it, some days you don't.
I even fetched my fixed-gear from my parents house this week. I haven't really managed to get super into "riding fixed" which is a whole different ball game. But I plan on riding that for shorter jaunts. It's gonna be my commuter bike!
I don't really have a good place to store two bikes though. Roommate has her bike here too. So I have three bikes in my living room, just kind of sitting there, as much out of the way as they can get. It's kind of absurd.
P.S. Speaking of bikes.... go donate for the MS 150. Sidebar. You know you want to!
Today though, I had a really off day. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I started my ride with 3 miles of pretty steep uphill. That wiped me out for the rest of the ride, I think. But any excuses aside, I wasn't feeling as good as I have on the other rides I've been on. Some days you got it, some days you don't.
I even fetched my fixed-gear from my parents house this week. I haven't really managed to get super into "riding fixed" which is a whole different ball game. But I plan on riding that for shorter jaunts. It's gonna be my commuter bike!
I don't really have a good place to store two bikes though. Roommate has her bike here too. So I have three bikes in my living room, just kind of sitting there, as much out of the way as they can get. It's kind of absurd.
P.S. Speaking of bikes.... go donate for the MS 150. Sidebar. You know you want to!
Monday, May 05, 2008
New Additions
There was a huge pet adoption thing this weekend in my fair city. I didn't go... was pretty busy not-camping (sad... but I had fun anyway). Roommate did go and she couldn't resist the cuteness so she came home with a cat.
This is River Tam (yes, we are that geeky). Before Roommate adopted her she was Charlotte, but we have a dear friend named Charlotte, who is actually very allergic to cats, and that would be weird... having a cat named after Chaye.
Anyway, River is 5 years old but tiny for her age. She's a little blind so her eyes look a little weird. She's super sweet, almost to the point where she is annoying. She's been following me around all morning getting under my feet and purring. Now she's sitting on my lap, which is better than where she was a minute ago- on my keyboard. What a good kitty.
I am a little worried, of course. We don't have a history of being the cleanest humans ever so I'm a little concerned about having gross cat mess all over. Also River is not de-clawed so I'm a little worried about my new couch. Roommate is getting a big scratching post though and neither of us have really seen River do much to shred the furniture.
She really is very sweet. Here's another picture of her doing the cute kitty thing.
This is River Tam (yes, we are that geeky). Before Roommate adopted her she was Charlotte, but we have a dear friend named Charlotte, who is actually very allergic to cats, and that would be weird... having a cat named after Chaye.
Anyway, River is 5 years old but tiny for her age. She's a little blind so her eyes look a little weird. She's super sweet, almost to the point where she is annoying. She's been following me around all morning getting under my feet and purring. Now she's sitting on my lap, which is better than where she was a minute ago- on my keyboard. What a good kitty.
I am a little worried, of course. We don't have a history of being the cleanest humans ever so I'm a little concerned about having gross cat mess all over. Also River is not de-clawed so I'm a little worried about my new couch. Roommate is getting a big scratching post though and neither of us have really seen River do much to shred the furniture.
She really is very sweet. Here's another picture of her doing the cute kitty thing.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Sad Day
I'm kind of disappointed about this weekend. I was supposed to go camping with my Dad. We were going to go to this random place he accidentally stumbled on a while ago out in the middle of nowhere, southern Utah. He can't go now though because he messed up his back and... well he can barely walk for the pain. So he can't go.
Yeah, I can go without my Dad, but I don't want to go by myself. Besides it being more fun to hike/camp with a friend or two, it would be nice to have someone to split gas and fees and to entertain me during the long drive. Unfortunately, I don't have very many friends who are into the camping thing.
No, that's not true. I have tons of friends who are into "camping." That is, sitting around a campsite drinking beer. Good luck getting any of them to spend all day hiking. And that's what I want to do, so there are limited people to ask. All those people are busy this weekend, so I'm stuck with my disappointment.
Yeah, I can go without my Dad, but I don't want to go by myself. Besides it being more fun to hike/camp with a friend or two, it would be nice to have someone to split gas and fees and to entertain me during the long drive. Unfortunately, I don't have very many friends who are into the camping thing.
No, that's not true. I have tons of friends who are into "camping." That is, sitting around a campsite drinking beer. Good luck getting any of them to spend all day hiking. And that's what I want to do, so there are limited people to ask. All those people are busy this weekend, so I'm stuck with my disappointment.
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