It sucks having an autoimmune disease. It sucks having it be in remission and it sucks trying to find the balance between abject fear of relapse and a normal, healthy life. It sucks having a rare autoimmune disease because no one really understands how much it sucks.
There was an article in Self Magazine's March 2007* issue that said it very nicely: ...with severe autoimmune illness, you get to go through all the official cancer crap without getting any of the cancer credit. There is no pretty ribbon to adorn your lapel. You do not get a story line on Sex and the City, nor do you rock out at the Grammys. You cannot purchase lovely pink products to help find a cure.
Not to belittle people who have had cancer - it's not easy dealing with that either - but do you know how many time I have wished that I had cancer instead of Wegener's? It's not easy, but it's much easier for cancer people because they have a gigantic support system and publicity and just tons of people they can relate to and share their experience.
I know that makes me sound like a terrible person, but it's really true. Cancer survivors also have the joy of not worrying if every cough, headache, nosebleed, earache or joint/muscle ache is a symptom of their cancer coming back. I do. It sucks.
A friend of mine pointed out the other day that I let Wegener's Granulomatosis be a fairly major thing in my life (well, no shit!) and that I should try to make it influence me less or not at all. Because whether or not I have a relapse is out of my control, he essentially said I should ignore the disease. His sister has had cancer and he used her as an example of how one should cope. He actually kind of pissed me off because he implied that I was a slave to WG and that I should really just be passive about it.
That's not really a plausible idea. I have to pay very close attention to any symptoms that might indicate a relapse because, while I can't control if a relapse happens, I can control how soon it's diagnosed. Catching a relapse early could save me from being on dialisis for the rest of my life or keep my nose from collapsing completely. I've found a few support groups online too. It's comforting to have found people who went through something similar, and it's helpful to be aware of what I can maybe expect if I do have a relapse. Not actively dealing with WG is likely to be more detrimental than not.
The truth is I don't really let it have that much influence on my life. If I were to really let Wegener's control my life, I would be a total hypocondriac and would never do anything but worry about it. I do very normal things for a person my age. There are a few things I don't do because they would increase the risk of me getting sick, but they're kind of stupid things to do anyway. I don't even talk to most of my friends about it because right now, it's not a really big deal. Occasionally they'll ask me about it, and I'll tell them, but I seldom bring it up.
Blah! I promise my next blog will be happy. This one and the one before are a bit ponderous.
*I couldn't find a link to the Self article itself that didn't require some sort of password. I've posted it as a comment though (it's kind of long so I don't want to put it on the main page). I highly recommend reading it; it's a great article.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Have You Waxed Your Philosophy Today?
I'm waxing philosophic today. (What the hell does that mean anyway, "waxing philosophic"? Well, I know what it means, but where did it come from and how does it make sense?). One of the guys I work with asked me yesterday if I was LDS (being in Utah one gets asked that question frequently) and I said no, I was atheist. Today he asked me if I believed in "all those energies" - you know, the weird energy thingies that godless heathens sometimes believe in. I told him that I kind of dabbled with Taoism but was mostly an Existentialist. Not surprisingly, he asked me what that meant. I explained it to him as best I could; existentialism is kind of a tricky and controvertial little philosophy even within the existential community and my major exposure to it has been a few plays by Sarte, Camus and Beckett.
From a shit happens perspective, Taoism says "shit happens", Existentialism says: "Shit doesn't happen, shit IS"
That conversation got me thinking that existentialism and taoism don't really go very well together. I occured to me that you may not really be able to do both; an existential taoist? Seems a little far fetched. Based on my limited exposure and what I learned today on wikipedia (mostly just refreshing my memory about the two ideas really) I will now attempt to desipher whether or not the two can work together without totally cancelling each other out.
Existentialism (really over simplified) is based on the idea that human existance is fundamental and inexplicable. A big motto of this thought is "existence precedes essence" which essentially means that there is no predefined meaning of life, people just exist, and any meaning that we find is there because we (humans) ascribe it, we define our essence through our actions, reactions, our life. We are "thrown" into existence and we simply exist until we come up with some definition of ourself. We live in a universe that is random, irrational and totally indiffernt to us. According to Sarte, rationality is "bad faith" - it is an attempt to impose structure on the structureless universe. As far a God goes there are three ideas: God is dead, belief in God is a personal choice based on faith, experience and/or observation, and Agnostic Existentialism. The last one is the one I like. It doesn't claim to know anything about the "greater picture" - about God or the grand scheme of things or whoever it is that throws us into existence or whether any of those things actually exist. Whatever the greater picture is, it's far beyond human comprehension so it's futile and useless to try to figure it out.
Enough of that, let's move on to Taoism.
I'm going to simplify Taoism even more than I did Existentialism. There are several reasons for this, one is that "Taoism" coveres a whole shit-load of philosophies, religions and interpretations there of. Second reason is my understanding of Taoism comes mostly from a religion survey class I took which really just covered the basics. I like understanding (in a limited way) Taoism like this because it really leaves the whole thing flexable and open to interpretation. The third reason is that this blog is long enough already and there simply isn't time to dive deep into the Tao.
Let's pretend that Taoism is pretty much the sum of it's parts; looking at it this way makes it easier to look at it in relation to existentialism. The parts are (more or less) Tao, De, Wu Wei, and Pu.
Tao is a concept that is really difficult to explain. Actually it's impossible- those who know the Tao don't know the true Tao (or something like that). As much as I would love to be cryptic and leave it at that, Tao is (big surprise here) a major component of Taoism and really needs to be sort of understood. Tao is the flow of the universe - it's the influence that keeps everything balanced and in order. It's kind of like "the force" in Star Wars or Chi in feng shui. It is also "the way" or the path you must follow to find the Tao. It's beyond human comprehension to fully understand what Tao is; that's not just me saying so, that is part of the definition of Tao.
Part number two: De can be literally translated as "virtue" but its meaning is different than the typical western definition. De is essentially following the Tao (as in "the way" more than as the universal force). Being virtuous by Taoist standards means doing the right thing for the right reason. De means you return someone's wallet not because you want the reward but because it is the right thing to do and in harmony with the Tao.
Wu Wei is sort of related to De. Translated it means "without action." A big part of Taoism is also "Wei Wu Wei" which means "action without action" - I dare you to try to wrap your head around that. Wu Wei doesn't mean (as the translation would imply) that you should sit around and do nothing. It means that you shouldn't fight the Tao; you shouldn't exert your will on the universe. Let's pretend the Tao is a stream, Wu Wei would be like a stick floating down the stream - it's moving and "acting" but not fighting the current. Not Wu Wei would be a big old rock in the stream which would eventually be worn away into dust.
Finally, let's talk about Pu. Pu means "simplicity" and is the true nature of the mind. Have you ever had a moment when playing an intrument or playing a sport where you're so into what you're doing that your mind is kind of blank and everything just comes together but the second you start thinking about what you're doing (really start paying attention) it all falls apart? That moment of blankness is Pu- at that moment you are one with the Tao. It's awareness without definitions, lables, knowledge or experience.
Now comes the fun part! How can Taoism and Existentialism work together? There are some bits of Taoism that work pretty easily; Pu, for example is more or less just existing without any ascribed meaning. When you are one with the Tao, you simple ARE. The Tao itself goes quite nicely with the "greater picture" Agnostic Existentialism. Of course, you run into a big problem when you look at the part of the Tao that orders the universe. A truly random, irrational universe cannot have Tao, especially since Tao is all about balance. Ah, there's the rub. Taoism is a way of structualising the random universe; this is a problem. Another problem is that Taoism is essentialy giving a pre-existence meaning to life; we exist to follow the Tao. I could then argue that the Tao isn't there to follow until we define it or create it or chose it as an essence.
At this point, I'm a bit flummuxed. I don't really know that anything I just wrote actually makes sense. I would like to point out to any readers that I really don't know what I'm talking about. This blog has been me just thinking aloud (in a typing sort of way). I think I'm going to simply continue to exist and if I happen to follow the Tao along the way, good for me!
From a shit happens perspective, Taoism says "shit happens", Existentialism says: "Shit doesn't happen, shit IS"
That conversation got me thinking that existentialism and taoism don't really go very well together. I occured to me that you may not really be able to do both; an existential taoist? Seems a little far fetched. Based on my limited exposure and what I learned today on wikipedia (mostly just refreshing my memory about the two ideas really) I will now attempt to desipher whether or not the two can work together without totally cancelling each other out.
Existentialism (really over simplified) is based on the idea that human existance is fundamental and inexplicable. A big motto of this thought is "existence precedes essence" which essentially means that there is no predefined meaning of life, people just exist, and any meaning that we find is there because we (humans) ascribe it, we define our essence through our actions, reactions, our life. We are "thrown" into existence and we simply exist until we come up with some definition of ourself. We live in a universe that is random, irrational and totally indiffernt to us. According to Sarte, rationality is "bad faith" - it is an attempt to impose structure on the structureless universe. As far a God goes there are three ideas: God is dead, belief in God is a personal choice based on faith, experience and/or observation, and Agnostic Existentialism. The last one is the one I like. It doesn't claim to know anything about the "greater picture" - about God or the grand scheme of things or whoever it is that throws us into existence or whether any of those things actually exist. Whatever the greater picture is, it's far beyond human comprehension so it's futile and useless to try to figure it out.
Enough of that, let's move on to Taoism.
I'm going to simplify Taoism even more than I did Existentialism. There are several reasons for this, one is that "Taoism" coveres a whole shit-load of philosophies, religions and interpretations there of. Second reason is my understanding of Taoism comes mostly from a religion survey class I took which really just covered the basics. I like understanding (in a limited way) Taoism like this because it really leaves the whole thing flexable and open to interpretation. The third reason is that this blog is long enough already and there simply isn't time to dive deep into the Tao.
Let's pretend that Taoism is pretty much the sum of it's parts; looking at it this way makes it easier to look at it in relation to existentialism. The parts are (more or less) Tao, De, Wu Wei, and Pu.
Tao is a concept that is really difficult to explain. Actually it's impossible- those who know the Tao don't know the true Tao (or something like that). As much as I would love to be cryptic and leave it at that, Tao is (big surprise here) a major component of Taoism and really needs to be sort of understood. Tao is the flow of the universe - it's the influence that keeps everything balanced and in order. It's kind of like "the force" in Star Wars or Chi in feng shui. It is also "the way" or the path you must follow to find the Tao. It's beyond human comprehension to fully understand what Tao is; that's not just me saying so, that is part of the definition of Tao.
Part number two: De can be literally translated as "virtue" but its meaning is different than the typical western definition. De is essentially following the Tao (as in "the way" more than as the universal force). Being virtuous by Taoist standards means doing the right thing for the right reason. De means you return someone's wallet not because you want the reward but because it is the right thing to do and in harmony with the Tao.
Wu Wei is sort of related to De. Translated it means "without action." A big part of Taoism is also "Wei Wu Wei" which means "action without action" - I dare you to try to wrap your head around that. Wu Wei doesn't mean (as the translation would imply) that you should sit around and do nothing. It means that you shouldn't fight the Tao; you shouldn't exert your will on the universe. Let's pretend the Tao is a stream, Wu Wei would be like a stick floating down the stream - it's moving and "acting" but not fighting the current. Not Wu Wei would be a big old rock in the stream which would eventually be worn away into dust.
Finally, let's talk about Pu. Pu means "simplicity" and is the true nature of the mind. Have you ever had a moment when playing an intrument or playing a sport where you're so into what you're doing that your mind is kind of blank and everything just comes together but the second you start thinking about what you're doing (really start paying attention) it all falls apart? That moment of blankness is Pu- at that moment you are one with the Tao. It's awareness without definitions, lables, knowledge or experience.
Now comes the fun part! How can Taoism and Existentialism work together? There are some bits of Taoism that work pretty easily; Pu, for example is more or less just existing without any ascribed meaning. When you are one with the Tao, you simple ARE. The Tao itself goes quite nicely with the "greater picture" Agnostic Existentialism. Of course, you run into a big problem when you look at the part of the Tao that orders the universe. A truly random, irrational universe cannot have Tao, especially since Tao is all about balance. Ah, there's the rub. Taoism is a way of structualising the random universe; this is a problem. Another problem is that Taoism is essentialy giving a pre-existence meaning to life; we exist to follow the Tao. I could then argue that the Tao isn't there to follow until we define it or create it or chose it as an essence.
At this point, I'm a bit flummuxed. I don't really know that anything I just wrote actually makes sense. I would like to point out to any readers that I really don't know what I'm talking about. This blog has been me just thinking aloud (in a typing sort of way). I think I'm going to simply continue to exist and if I happen to follow the Tao along the way, good for me!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Meat Pies. YUM!
I just found out that Tim Burton is directing a new movie version of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street. Sweeney will be played by Burton's favorite actor, Jonny Depp (I heart him, but I have to wonder if he can pull off the Sondheim score), and opposite him Mrs Burton (Helena Bonham Carter) as Mrs Lovett. Alan Rickman is also signed up as the judge. Sacha Cohen (Borat) also has a role, not so sure I'm totally psyched about that. Most websites say that it will released December 21 this year, but one said Jan 11. In any case I can't wait.
Another film I'm quite excited for is 28 Weeks Later, which comes out this Friday. I loved 28 Days Later and this sequel looks to be just as good. I miss Cillian Murphy though.
As for the rest of the Summer of Sequels:
I can live without seeing Spider Man 3 - especially after hearing about it from friends who saw it over the weekend. I wasn't too impressed by the first two (though they are good for comic book movies) and all their redeeming quality are lacking in the new one, or so I hear.
You will find me in line on opening day to see Pirates.
The Harry Potter saga continues with Half Blood Prince coming out on July 13. I will probably go see it, but I'm much more excited about the final book release two weeks later.
Ocean's 13 should be decent. Let's be honest, the first two Ocean movies were really just hollywood hotness getting together and having fun. It worked. This latest installment doesn't look like it's going to be anything more than that, so it should work too.
What else is coming out this summer? Fantastic Four, Bourne, Die Hard... I'm fairly indifferent to those three. Transformers? Eh.
Hairspray should be fun. If nothing else, it might be worth it to see John Travolta in drag.
Another film I'm quite excited for is 28 Weeks Later, which comes out this Friday. I loved 28 Days Later and this sequel looks to be just as good. I miss Cillian Murphy though.
As for the rest of the Summer of Sequels:
I can live without seeing Spider Man 3 - especially after hearing about it from friends who saw it over the weekend. I wasn't too impressed by the first two (though they are good for comic book movies) and all their redeeming quality are lacking in the new one, or so I hear.
You will find me in line on opening day to see Pirates.
The Harry Potter saga continues with Half Blood Prince coming out on July 13. I will probably go see it, but I'm much more excited about the final book release two weeks later.
Ocean's 13 should be decent. Let's be honest, the first two Ocean movies were really just hollywood hotness getting together and having fun. It worked. This latest installment doesn't look like it's going to be anything more than that, so it should work too.
What else is coming out this summer? Fantastic Four, Bourne, Die Hard... I'm fairly indifferent to those three. Transformers? Eh.
Hairspray should be fun. If nothing else, it might be worth it to see John Travolta in drag.
Friday, May 04, 2007
What's The Matter With Kids Today?
Seriously, when does this even start to make sense?
I guess it's good that I can't relate to a total sociopath, it means I'm not one myself, right? I just don't get why doing something like that would even cross someone's mind. Especially since it was a duck that the school had sort of adopted and was monitoring.
In the article, they mention that the kid might not be charged with anything. I think letting him get away with it with a slap on the wrist and a couple shrink visits (god knows he needs those anyway) is almost reinforcing the psycho behavior. Even if he's not wired to know the difference between right and wrong, he could still understand the logic of doing something illegal and facing the consequences.
Can you just imagine what his parents are going through? Unless they're the "oh my kid could do no wrong. He's not bad, just misunderstood" kind of parents, they have got to be freaking out. How do you handle the idea that your kid is showing classic signs of being a violent sort of nut job? I would be scared to death. And I would never be able to watch Haloween again.
I guess it's good that I can't relate to a total sociopath, it means I'm not one myself, right? I just don't get why doing something like that would even cross someone's mind. Especially since it was a duck that the school had sort of adopted and was monitoring.
In the article, they mention that the kid might not be charged with anything. I think letting him get away with it with a slap on the wrist and a couple shrink visits (god knows he needs those anyway) is almost reinforcing the psycho behavior. Even if he's not wired to know the difference between right and wrong, he could still understand the logic of doing something illegal and facing the consequences.
Can you just imagine what his parents are going through? Unless they're the "oh my kid could do no wrong. He's not bad, just misunderstood" kind of parents, they have got to be freaking out. How do you handle the idea that your kid is showing classic signs of being a violent sort of nut job? I would be scared to death. And I would never be able to watch Haloween again.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sgt Nicholas Angel is my Hero
I had a pretty fabulous weekend. Nothing extremely exceptional happened, but I had nothing but fun.
On Friday I went to see Hot Fuzz, a bloody brilliant little bit of comedy from the makers of Shaun of the Dead. I have to say I like the zombie flick a little better, but I also like zombie flicks better than cop movies so .... Anyway, I recomend checking out Hot Fuzz if you're looking for a good laugh. I had a final earlier on Friday so laughing was quite a nice follow up.
Saturday afternoon I saw Les Miserables with my grandma and mother. It was quite well done and, though really long and operatic, very good. I hadn't seen it before so it was a worthwile passing of the afternoon. Saturday night I went to a party and met some interesting people including a kid I actually met once way back in high school (freshman year to be precise). He was a friend of my boyfriend at the time. I'm not sure why I remembered that I had met him briefly before. Anyway, we talked about art and I'm now inspired to spend a small chunk of time wandering around the UMFA (art museum) this afternoon.
Sunday was my favorite day of the weekend. I got up early, at 7, (which was not so great, but not really that bad) and went for a 27 mile bike ride. I'm pretty damn proud of myself for that considering how I'm in terrible shape and haven't ridden my bike any major distance in years. It was a wonderful ride too - the weather was perfect and everything looked pretty and springish. That afternoon I bought some stuff for my bike at REI (I discovered after 30 miles that my saddle was not really as comfortable as I might like) and piddled around outside for a bit. I went to bed last night feeling quite tired, but in a really good way.
On Friday I went to see Hot Fuzz, a bloody brilliant little bit of comedy from the makers of Shaun of the Dead. I have to say I like the zombie flick a little better, but I also like zombie flicks better than cop movies so .... Anyway, I recomend checking out Hot Fuzz if you're looking for a good laugh. I had a final earlier on Friday so laughing was quite a nice follow up.
Saturday afternoon I saw Les Miserables with my grandma and mother. It was quite well done and, though really long and operatic, very good. I hadn't seen it before so it was a worthwile passing of the afternoon. Saturday night I went to a party and met some interesting people including a kid I actually met once way back in high school (freshman year to be precise). He was a friend of my boyfriend at the time. I'm not sure why I remembered that I had met him briefly before. Anyway, we talked about art and I'm now inspired to spend a small chunk of time wandering around the UMFA (art museum) this afternoon.
Sunday was my favorite day of the weekend. I got up early, at 7, (which was not so great, but not really that bad) and went for a 27 mile bike ride. I'm pretty damn proud of myself for that considering how I'm in terrible shape and haven't ridden my bike any major distance in years. It was a wonderful ride too - the weather was perfect and everything looked pretty and springish. That afternoon I bought some stuff for my bike at REI (I discovered after 30 miles that my saddle was not really as comfortable as I might like) and piddled around outside for a bit. I went to bed last night feeling quite tired, but in a really good way.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Today's Forcast is Blueberries
There comes a time in every girl's life when she has to ask herself, "What 5 songs would be the most tubular songs ever for karaoke?" (apparently she has to speak 80s when she asks)
I've never done karaoke myself (as a service to the planet, believe me). And I believe that the quintisential karaoke songs should be ones that most people wouldn't think of and that lend themselves to total embarassment of the singer.
This is what I would answer:
"It's the End of the World" by REM -thoroughly impossible to sing all the lyrics but it would kick ass if you could. And it would kick ass seeing the karaoke kids try to hit all the lyrics. Awesome.
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads - really, anything by the Talking Heads would be fun. Their songs don't make much sense, but you don't really need to be able to SING to sing them. And Psycho Killer has French bits. Anything French is fun!
"ADIDAS" by Korn - It cracks me up. And how much fun is it to sing about nothing but sex? Come on, shake those karaoke singing grandma's up a bit. It'll do them good to be a little shocked. (for those of you thinking: "how many grandma's do karaoke? I thought it was a younger people thing. Like something you 20-30 somethings do in bars." You should probably should take a moment to think before you think something.)
"Woo Hoo" by the 5 6 7 8s - for those who are extremely lyricly challenged.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen - This is actually what started it all. This was on somebody's (I don't remember who or how I heard about it) list of the best karaoke songs because it's a great song to do in a group and it has something for everyone: a little rock, a little opera, a little... Freddie Mercury. I thought: That's dumb. There's no way a human being, especially a drunk one, can hit the high notes in that. Man, this would be awesome to see.
So that is my list. I think someday I should go to a karaoke bar and fix it so that people have to sing these songs. I'm sure it would be the raddest thing ever, dude.
I've never done karaoke myself (as a service to the planet, believe me). And I believe that the quintisential karaoke songs should be ones that most people wouldn't think of and that lend themselves to total embarassment of the singer.
This is what I would answer:
"It's the End of the World" by REM -thoroughly impossible to sing all the lyrics but it would kick ass if you could. And it would kick ass seeing the karaoke kids try to hit all the lyrics. Awesome.
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads - really, anything by the Talking Heads would be fun. Their songs don't make much sense, but you don't really need to be able to SING to sing them. And Psycho Killer has French bits. Anything French is fun!
"ADIDAS" by Korn - It cracks me up. And how much fun is it to sing about nothing but sex? Come on, shake those karaoke singing grandma's up a bit. It'll do them good to be a little shocked. (for those of you thinking: "how many grandma's do karaoke? I thought it was a younger people thing. Like something you 20-30 somethings do in bars." You should probably should take a moment to think before you think something.)
"Woo Hoo" by the 5 6 7 8s - for those who are extremely lyricly challenged.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen - This is actually what started it all. This was on somebody's (I don't remember who or how I heard about it) list of the best karaoke songs because it's a great song to do in a group and it has something for everyone: a little rock, a little opera, a little... Freddie Mercury. I thought: That's dumb. There's no way a human being, especially a drunk one, can hit the high notes in that. Man, this would be awesome to see.
So that is my list. I think someday I should go to a karaoke bar and fix it so that people have to sing these songs. I'm sure it would be the raddest thing ever, dude.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
ZOMGWTFWBDJD?
Here's a no brainer. It turns out that text messaging (omg i nvr wooda thawt this culd happn) makes kids dumber! Ok, not dumber, just less litterate. There's a big surprise, eh?.
Devoted readers of my blog (ha ha ha omigod I'm funny) know how much I love text messages from my rant a good while back. This article just adds another item to the list of why I don't like 'em. The art of constucting a decent sentence is being distroyed by technology! I'm sure it applies to more than just Irish kids too. Maybe we don't notice it in our American youth because they're all electro-brain-washed and inarticulate/illiterate to beging with. It's all very tragic, I think I may cry.
(insert exasperated sigh here) It's really no use resisting such technology as text messaging. Yes, I did give it up for a month last year, but that didn't really do anything. My friends who communicate soley by text got a little annoyed with me. They still sent me texts messages and I called them in response. It was all very silly.
I'm tempted to give it up again, but it's kind of nice to be able to talk to friends when I'm at work and can't really gab on the phone. By no means is this a necessary diversion, but it's kind of nice. Anyway, I always practice safe texting (still HATE that word! I'm all for turning nouns into verbs on occasion, because it's fun, but this is yucky. Texted is worse). I send complete sentences with my texts; often they are long winded sentences with words that the autospell on my phone doesn't recognize. I absolutely refuse to use "i m speak" unless in mockery of people who speak completely in letters. I refuse to let my literacy slip through my fingers as they work the number keys of my phone! Not that it's likely to do so, it's pretty well ingrained in me.
It's also scary when people text and drive.
Speaking of driving, This.
I feel very unhappy for this world of ours. I would feel much worse, I'm sure, if I hadn't ridden my bike to work today. Especially since my gas tank is empty and I would have had to spend 40 some odd dollars to fill it up if I drove it today. Yay bike!
Devoted readers of my blog (ha ha ha omigod I'm funny) know how much I love text messages from my rant a good while back. This article just adds another item to the list of why I don't like 'em. The art of constucting a decent sentence is being distroyed by technology! I'm sure it applies to more than just Irish kids too. Maybe we don't notice it in our American youth because they're all electro-brain-washed and inarticulate/illiterate to beging with. It's all very tragic, I think I may cry.
(insert exasperated sigh here) It's really no use resisting such technology as text messaging. Yes, I did give it up for a month last year, but that didn't really do anything. My friends who communicate soley by text got a little annoyed with me. They still sent me texts messages and I called them in response. It was all very silly.
I'm tempted to give it up again, but it's kind of nice to be able to talk to friends when I'm at work and can't really gab on the phone. By no means is this a necessary diversion, but it's kind of nice. Anyway, I always practice safe texting (still HATE that word! I'm all for turning nouns into verbs on occasion, because it's fun, but this is yucky. Texted is worse). I send complete sentences with my texts; often they are long winded sentences with words that the autospell on my phone doesn't recognize. I absolutely refuse to use "i m speak" unless in mockery of people who speak completely in letters. I refuse to let my literacy slip through my fingers as they work the number keys of my phone! Not that it's likely to do so, it's pretty well ingrained in me.
It's also scary when people text and drive.
Speaking of driving, This.
I feel very unhappy for this world of ours. I would feel much worse, I'm sure, if I hadn't ridden my bike to work today. Especially since my gas tank is empty and I would have had to spend 40 some odd dollars to fill it up if I drove it today. Yay bike!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Tis a Blustery Sort of Day
Last night I had vegan pizza. It was good, but it wasn't really what I would call pizza. The consensus was that it should be called "weird shit on bread." But that doesn't make it sound very appetizing. Of course neither does "vegan pizza" really. Oh well, it was actually quite good.
Over the weekend I got a new pair of shoes for $2.50. They're gold and strappy and I'm probably not going to wear them more than a couple times in my life, but they were only $2.50.
You know what would be fun? If a tornado hit downtown and I had to go home. I guess it would probably be more scary than fun, at least in the traditional sense. Oh but it would be exciting. And I sort of don't feel like working today. It's not so bad really. Just on days like this when it's stormy and crazy outside, I want to be either out in the weather or watching it from the comfort of a big armchair with a nice cup of tea. Actually here at my desk I have a very decent view of the rampaging winds. I'm just missing the tea.
Update: There was no tornado. :( And now it's snowing. The really fun part of all this is that my dad, my brother and my brother's girlfriend are all going to a double-header Real Salt Lake soccer (would it be footer because it's soccer?) game tonight. In the snow. Fun for them!
Over the weekend I got a new pair of shoes for $2.50. They're gold and strappy and I'm probably not going to wear them more than a couple times in my life, but they were only $2.50.
You know what would be fun? If a tornado hit downtown and I had to go home. I guess it would probably be more scary than fun, at least in the traditional sense. Oh but it would be exciting. And I sort of don't feel like working today. It's not so bad really. Just on days like this when it's stormy and crazy outside, I want to be either out in the weather or watching it from the comfort of a big armchair with a nice cup of tea. Actually here at my desk I have a very decent view of the rampaging winds. I'm just missing the tea.
Update: There was no tornado. :( And now it's snowing. The really fun part of all this is that my dad, my brother and my brother's girlfriend are all going to a double-header Real Salt Lake soccer (would it be footer because it's soccer?) game tonight. In the snow. Fun for them!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Cheese
The glorious thing we call the internet has reached a new high. That's right, ladies and gents, you can now watch mold grow on cheese! in real time, no less. Finally something we can waste out time with that is less outdoorsy than watching grass grow and less stinky than watching paint dry.
I'm not sure what disturbs me most about this website.
At first it may be the 643,774 (and counting) hits. But it occurs to me that very few of those are probably return viewers. And I am one of them, as will be anyone who clicks on the link to the cheese page from here. So, I'm going to give at least 600,000 of those people the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they, just like I did, had to check it out to see if it was actually real.
The cheese has a myspace page too. That is... special.
And now I'm perpetuating the success of the website. After all, fame on the web is counted by how many people know about and/or visit your site. On the other hand, very few people ever read this little blog of mine, so I'm not really making much difference at all.
And speaking of blogs (I guess this post is going to be longer than I originally intended), I was reading a Frost Bytes in this week's City Weekly and found this little bit kind of interesting:
• Heard of “ghost blogs”? They’re blogs started by briefly gung-ho writers and diarists, only to be left for dead after a few entries—there are an estimated 200 million (!) of them haunting the Internet right now. “The extraordinary failure rate of online diaries and claims that interest in blogging will soon begin a precipitous slide are sparking an intriguing debate about the future of self-expression on the Internet and whether blogs, once seen as revolutionary, are destined to become a footnote in the history of computing,” said a U.K. Sunday Times report. “Others liken the abandonment of blogs to ‘the suicide of your virtual self’ … At least one Internet writer blames the blogging culture for helping to turn the Internet into a dictatorship of idiots.’”
I find this somewhat encouraging actually. Not that I have anything against blogging, obviously, but I think it may have gotten out of hand. A few weeks ago on Talk of the Nation (NPR show) there was a discussion of the deprivitisation of our lives thanks to internet/wireless communications. People blog about little minute details of their life, and millions and millions of people can read about it. It makes things much less private. It's like airing your dirty laundry and inviting the neighbors over to take a good whiff.
There are also the super politcal blogs done by kids who think they know everything. They bother me. The amount of information available online these days is astounding without every Tom Dick and Harry having his say. And people are slowly loosing their ability to weed the good stuff from the bad stuff. That's a whole other issue though, and I don't want to go into it.
There are, of course, some good blogs. Some news orginizations have blogs which help them connect to thier readers. It's like a 'letters to the editor' page, but less formal. There are also a few blogs that do reviews (of movies, tv shows, celebrities) and those are fun.
And then there are blogs like this one that just don't give a shit. I do this thing because I want to. I don't care that very few people read it. I enjoy writing it, and it's really fun for me to go back and see what I've posted over the years. I can go on about whatever I want and I wont be impossing my little tirades on anyone who doesn't want to read them.
I wonder what the future of 'sef-expression on the internet' will bring. Certainly a continued breakdown of personal privacy. Maybe more moldy cheese?
I'm not sure what disturbs me most about this website.
At first it may be the 643,774 (and counting) hits. But it occurs to me that very few of those are probably return viewers. And I am one of them, as will be anyone who clicks on the link to the cheese page from here. So, I'm going to give at least 600,000 of those people the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure they, just like I did, had to check it out to see if it was actually real.
The cheese has a myspace page too. That is... special.
And now I'm perpetuating the success of the website. After all, fame on the web is counted by how many people know about and/or visit your site. On the other hand, very few people ever read this little blog of mine, so I'm not really making much difference at all.
And speaking of blogs (I guess this post is going to be longer than I originally intended), I was reading a Frost Bytes in this week's City Weekly and found this little bit kind of interesting:
• Heard of “ghost blogs”? They’re blogs started by briefly gung-ho writers and diarists, only to be left for dead after a few entries—there are an estimated 200 million (!) of them haunting the Internet right now. “The extraordinary failure rate of online diaries and claims that interest in blogging will soon begin a precipitous slide are sparking an intriguing debate about the future of self-expression on the Internet and whether blogs, once seen as revolutionary, are destined to become a footnote in the history of computing,” said a U.K. Sunday Times report. “Others liken the abandonment of blogs to ‘the suicide of your virtual self’ … At least one Internet writer blames the blogging culture for helping to turn the Internet into a dictatorship of idiots.’”
I find this somewhat encouraging actually. Not that I have anything against blogging, obviously, but I think it may have gotten out of hand. A few weeks ago on Talk of the Nation (NPR show) there was a discussion of the deprivitisation of our lives thanks to internet/wireless communications. People blog about little minute details of their life, and millions and millions of people can read about it. It makes things much less private. It's like airing your dirty laundry and inviting the neighbors over to take a good whiff.
There are also the super politcal blogs done by kids who think they know everything. They bother me. The amount of information available online these days is astounding without every Tom Dick and Harry having his say. And people are slowly loosing their ability to weed the good stuff from the bad stuff. That's a whole other issue though, and I don't want to go into it.
There are, of course, some good blogs. Some news orginizations have blogs which help them connect to thier readers. It's like a 'letters to the editor' page, but less formal. There are also a few blogs that do reviews (of movies, tv shows, celebrities) and those are fun.
And then there are blogs like this one that just don't give a shit. I do this thing because I want to. I don't care that very few people read it. I enjoy writing it, and it's really fun for me to go back and see what I've posted over the years. I can go on about whatever I want and I wont be impossing my little tirades on anyone who doesn't want to read them.
I wonder what the future of 'sef-expression on the internet' will bring. Certainly a continued breakdown of personal privacy. Maybe more moldy cheese?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Inevitable Things in Life
... Or at least one of them.
I filed my taxes today. Isn't that exciting? It certainly is.
The question now is what will I do with the money? It seems such a shame to waste a perfectly good chunk of free money (yes I know it isn't really free, but it kind of feels like it is) on paying off credit cards, but that's probably where it will go. Or maybe I'll save it and spend it after I pay the little plastic devil gods. I can't truly enjoy the extra dinero until I buy my soul back, can I?
On the other hand, a pretty new pair of shoes would fill the hole that was once my soul quite nicely. Or, if I want to be somewhat practical, there's some bike stuff I could use. Oh, I need to take my bike in for a tune up (she deserves a spa day, and has never really had one). And some new running shoes might be a worth wile adventure. True, I do have the fancy New Balance shoes I got at the ORS, but they seem just a little high tech. That's silly, isn't it. I will not buy new running shoes because I don't need them.
I'll find something good to do with my refund.
I filed my taxes today. Isn't that exciting? It certainly is.
The question now is what will I do with the money? It seems such a shame to waste a perfectly good chunk of free money (yes I know it isn't really free, but it kind of feels like it is) on paying off credit cards, but that's probably where it will go. Or maybe I'll save it and spend it after I pay the little plastic devil gods. I can't truly enjoy the extra dinero until I buy my soul back, can I?
On the other hand, a pretty new pair of shoes would fill the hole that was once my soul quite nicely. Or, if I want to be somewhat practical, there's some bike stuff I could use. Oh, I need to take my bike in for a tune up (she deserves a spa day, and has never really had one). And some new running shoes might be a worth wile adventure. True, I do have the fancy New Balance shoes I got at the ORS, but they seem just a little high tech. That's silly, isn't it. I will not buy new running shoes because I don't need them.
I'll find something good to do with my refund.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Deadly UV Rays
I love the sun, but the sun does not really love me.
I spent the weekend in Moab with Scott. Yesterday we drove around on a bunch of dirt roads (beautiful scenery). The sunroof was open the whole time. I got a little sunburned.
I have drawn a self-portrait to demostrate the sunburnedness of me:
It's not a very good portrait. I don't have oddly lengthed pointy arms, My eyes are considerably more normal than that, as are my mouth and nose. Let's call it an impressionist portrait. And it does well enough to demostrate that I am a little sunburned.
My skin hurts.
I spent the weekend in Moab with Scott. Yesterday we drove around on a bunch of dirt roads (beautiful scenery). The sunroof was open the whole time. I got a little sunburned.
I have drawn a self-portrait to demostrate the sunburnedness of me:
It's not a very good portrait. I don't have oddly lengthed pointy arms, My eyes are considerably more normal than that, as are my mouth and nose. Let's call it an impressionist portrait. And it does well enough to demostrate that I am a little sunburned.
My skin hurts.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Weeee FUN
Let's all play a game!
Or, to be more specific, THIS GAME.
Why am I not playing the game over at that site? Because I don't want to.
So, here are my five random i-pod songs:
First Orgasm - Dresden Dolls
Impromptu in 2 Keys - Gershwin (performed by Fazil Say and the Chicago Philharmonic)
Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles
Kids with Guns - Gorillaz
Burning Down the House - Talking Heads
Now, what does it all mean?????
Or, to be more specific, THIS GAME.
Why am I not playing the game over at that site? Because I don't want to.
So, here are my five random i-pod songs:
First Orgasm - Dresden Dolls
Impromptu in 2 Keys - Gershwin (performed by Fazil Say and the Chicago Philharmonic)
Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles
Kids with Guns - Gorillaz
Burning Down the House - Talking Heads
Now, what does it all mean?????
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Ta Dah!
It is officially Spring now! Horray for the days being longer than the nights (however slightly at the moment). So far here the weather has been fairly spring-like too. Last week it was sunny and quite warm- a few days we had nearly 80* weather. (there is no degree sign on my keyboard, so I must use the asterix).
In other news, I'm going down to Moab this weekend with Scott. He's going down for a little adventure race thing. I'm going down for support. Aren't I sweet?
In other news, I'm going down to Moab this weekend with Scott. He's going down for a little adventure race thing. I'm going down for support. Aren't I sweet?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
XCIX Bottles of Wine on the Wall
Happy Ides of March Everybody!
Although I'm not entirely sure the 'ides of march' is necissarily something to be celebrated. It certainly wasn't too great for Mr. Ceasar.
I've taken to listening to NPR lately because normal radio sucks. On my way to work today somebody was on talking about the post slaying (of Julius Ceasar) party and the roman rendition of 99 bottles of beer on the wall.
Here's a link to the story. I recomend listening to it, it's much more fun if you actually hear the song.
I've taken to listening to NPR lately because normal radio sucks. On my way to work today somebody was on talking about the post slaying (of Julius Ceasar) party and the roman rendition of 99 bottles of beer on the wall.
Here's a link to the story. I recomend listening to it, it's much more fun if you actually hear the song.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Blood! Guts! Glass!
I just lived through a minor disaster at work. Granted, it was not very disasterous and the only one who could have possibly been hurt was me, but still.
I'm working as a receptionist now (yeah, very challenging work, but hey, it pays well and it's a fun office) so I sit at a desk and answer phones all day. I have a fairly large desk in the entrance of the building above which there are three hanging lights. These lights have about ten inch high cylidrical glass shades.
About ten minutes ago, one of these shades, specifically the one directly above my head, came off and crashed onto my desk. It missed my head by a few inches but shattered all over my desktop.
The good news is that I'm totally fine. I had a little shard of glass lodged in my hand and a few little cuts, but over all, I'm just peachy keen. It does bother me a little that it happened at all. And if I had been leaning foward at all, it would have given me a good conk on the head.
I'm a little wary now of the remaining two lights.
I'm working as a receptionist now (yeah, very challenging work, but hey, it pays well and it's a fun office) so I sit at a desk and answer phones all day. I have a fairly large desk in the entrance of the building above which there are three hanging lights. These lights have about ten inch high cylidrical glass shades.
About ten minutes ago, one of these shades, specifically the one directly above my head, came off and crashed onto my desk. It missed my head by a few inches but shattered all over my desktop.
The good news is that I'm totally fine. I had a little shard of glass lodged in my hand and a few little cuts, but over all, I'm just peachy keen. It does bother me a little that it happened at all. And if I had been leaning foward at all, it would have given me a good conk on the head.
I'm a little wary now of the remaining two lights.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Tides
I just started a new job. Actually, my first real day (not just training) is Monday. It's not that exciting really, it's just a receptionist job. But I like all the people at the office and it pays well. I'm really kind of excited about it.
Now that I have regular hours and the opportunity to start a routine, I'm going to start training for a triathlon. Wish me luck!
Now that I have regular hours and the opportunity to start a routine, I'm going to start training for a triathlon. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Big Guns
I feel like I should post something about the shootings at Trolley Square on Monday.
I honestly don't have much to say about it. I'm glad no one I know was hurt, and I feel bad for those who do know people who were. But ... it seems like there's so much violence in the world that I'm kind of numb to it all. And I feel bad about that, because I really shouldn't be. As a human being I should be scared or shocked or compelled to do something. But I'm not. I feel like it's just another random act of senseless violence. It really sucks, but the world will keep moving. I even have a friend who works at Trolley. I was briefly worried about him, but only briefly (he's ok). I really don't care much about the whole incident. And that makes me kind of sick.
I honestly don't have much to say about it. I'm glad no one I know was hurt, and I feel bad for those who do know people who were. But ... it seems like there's so much violence in the world that I'm kind of numb to it all. And I feel bad about that, because I really shouldn't be. As a human being I should be scared or shocked or compelled to do something. But I'm not. I feel like it's just another random act of senseless violence. It really sucks, but the world will keep moving. I even have a friend who works at Trolley. I was briefly worried about him, but only briefly (he's ok). I really don't care much about the whole incident. And that makes me kind of sick.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
la la la la laaaaaaaaa
I'm sure it's something that has crossed many a mind before, but I can't help but wonder why people feel compelled to applaud at the end of a movie. Unless you are attending the actual Hollywood premier, no one who had anything to do with the movie is there to appreciate it. Unless you count the pimply kid who runs the projector. These days, I suppose, it's all digital anyway so all said kid has to do is push a button.
I went to the sneak preview of Amazing Grace last night. Good movie, very good story, though the film did seem to be lacking something. Still, very entertaining. Not only did the entire audience (myself excluded) applaud at the end, but they gave it a standing ovation. Had it been a play and not a film, I would have quite agreed with the crowd, but it wasn't.
In other news, I'm single again and have been for... a bit over a week. It's all very tragic, but not really. (ex) Boyfriend and I are still friends. No, really, we actually are. It's a bit strange, but in a good way. Our relationship has basically stayed the same only minus all the fun kissy bits. I suppose I can't really refer to him as 'boyfriend' anymore. I suppose a name is in order. Well, if he ever comes up again in the course of my ramblings, I shall name him.
I went to the sneak preview of Amazing Grace last night. Good movie, very good story, though the film did seem to be lacking something. Still, very entertaining. Not only did the entire audience (myself excluded) applaud at the end, but they gave it a standing ovation. Had it been a play and not a film, I would have quite agreed with the crowd, but it wasn't.
In other news, I'm single again and have been for... a bit over a week. It's all very tragic, but not really. (ex) Boyfriend and I are still friends. No, really, we actually are. It's a bit strange, but in a good way. Our relationship has basically stayed the same only minus all the fun kissy bits. I suppose I can't really refer to him as 'boyfriend' anymore. I suppose a name is in order. Well, if he ever comes up again in the course of my ramblings, I shall name him.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Crazy Celebs
I'm sure everyone has heard by now about Anna Nicole Smith. It's all very tragic. Especially for Courtney Love. There's no one around now to make her look less crazy.
Here are my predictions for who will step up to the plate:
Sharon Stone - she's almost there. But she's still kind of trying to be classy... sometimes
Lindsey Lohan - just give her a year or two. As long as she doesn't make some miraculous recovery and start acting a like a normal human being. The problem is that she's young-crazy so all her hyjinks can be written off as youthful indescretions (or something).
One (or both) of the Olsen twins - Ok, so relatively they're both pretty wholesome, but wouldn't it be fun if Mary Kate flew off the handle into crazy town. Of course you have the same youth problem you get with Lindsey.
Lara Flynn Boyle - Ok, so she's already a little crazy. She's different crazy though. We need to get her a little more drug-hazed.
Here are my predictions for who will step up to the plate:
Sharon Stone - she's almost there. But she's still kind of trying to be classy... sometimes
Lindsey Lohan - just give her a year or two. As long as she doesn't make some miraculous recovery and start acting a like a normal human being. The problem is that she's young-crazy so all her hyjinks can be written off as youthful indescretions (or something).
One (or both) of the Olsen twins - Ok, so relatively they're both pretty wholesome, but wouldn't it be fun if Mary Kate flew off the handle into crazy town. Of course you have the same youth problem you get with Lindsey.
Lara Flynn Boyle - Ok, so she's already a little crazy. She's different crazy though. We need to get her a little more drug-hazed.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Da Bears
What a sad game that was. The first quarter was pretty decent but then the Bears just really started sucking it up. The last half of the game was almost boring. The Colts just killed.
Oh, and the Garmin map monster rocked my world:
Oh, and the Garmin map monster rocked my world:
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
In Passing
On my way home from work this afternoon I stopped at a red light behind a Jetta with a license plate that read "ADIDAS"
Now, I know it could be the car of a major brand whore, or a company/team/whatever car. That is to say that it could easily be referring to the shoe/clothing brand.
I like to think it's actually a reference to the Korn song. Sing it with me:
"All day I dream about sex..."
Now, I know it could be the car of a major brand whore, or a company/team/whatever car. That is to say that it could easily be referring to the shoe/clothing brand.
I like to think it's actually a reference to the Korn song. Sing it with me:
"All day I dream about sex..."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Goings On
I'm serving at work now. Tips are fun. I'm making a very decent amount of money, but I still need to get a real job. By real I mean full time.
This weekend I'm going to the Outdoor Retailer Show. I'm quite excited. It's going to thrilling.
I've been craving chocolate cake for 2 weeks now. Haven't had any.
That last one was very important, eh?
This weekend I'm going to the Outdoor Retailer Show. I'm quite excited. It's going to thrilling.
I've been craving chocolate cake for 2 weeks now. Haven't had any.
That last one was very important, eh?
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Grammartastic!
One of the secretaries at my boyfriend's work sent the following to everyone who works there:
I admit that I am a little more anal about grammar than some people (understatement), but COME ON!!! Just reading it made my head hurt. I can look past the spelling errors (except maybe "threw" because that changes the meaning of the sentence), but.... excuse me while I hyperventilate trying to figure out what the worst part of this is.
Once you figure out what she's saying, it's really not a bad idea. Give her credit for trying to make her job more efficient.
Seriously though, it hurts me.
Hi,
Well i just want to send an email out to ask everyone if they could just let me know when it is that they get in to work to let me know that you are in because some times i dont see eveyone come in and then i call your phones and it rings or your on the other line or just away from desk but this will just help me do my job better. If you could just send me an email when ever your going to a meeting or a meeting here and what time you will be back or what time you will be out of the meeting, becuase when people call and ask for someone im searching and rarley now who is where so jsut those couple of things will help me out a great deal so that i dont look so stupid to phone calls that come threw. So if you all could just send me and email when you get in and just when your going to go to a metting or what not so that I dont feel so out of it up here thanks so much!!!
I admit that I am a little more anal about grammar than some people (understatement), but COME ON!!! Just reading it made my head hurt. I can look past the spelling errors (except maybe "threw" because that changes the meaning of the sentence), but.... excuse me while I hyperventilate trying to figure out what the worst part of this is.
Once you figure out what she's saying, it's really not a bad idea. Give her credit for trying to make her job more efficient.
Seriously though, it hurts me.
Friday, January 12, 2007
I Wanna Rock (Rock)!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Celebrate Good Times
A new year has begun. And yes, I realize I'm a little behind. It's technically the third of January right now, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still the second.
To ring in the new year I threw a masquerade party with my friend Arrakis at my boyfriend's house. I was a little disappointed with how it turned out, but everyone there had fun so I guess it was a smashing success.
The problem I had with it was maybe a little petty. The plan was for it to be a smaller party with only people we liked there. Boyfriend's sister was allowed to have a few of her friends because, well, she lives there too. The problem was that her friends kind of took over the whole thing. And her close friends are lovely (if a little dumb when intoxicated) but in large quantities her friends and her friends' friends are obnoxious ass holes.
I guess I should have not been so anal about how things went. Overall, it was a good party and everyone had a lot of fun. The year started out well and I was with people I really am quite fond of. Best of all, I was with Boyfriend.... one of these days I might name him in this little bloggy thing.
January first was spent sleeping in, finding an open restaurant (for lunch with friends) and cleaning.
Happy 2007 everyone!
This year I think I'm going to grow up. Today I sold my soul to American Express so I can start paying off my credit cards. That may seem a little counter intuitive at first but you must understand that I actually transferred all my balances and got a card with 0% APR for the next year. In theory, that's plenty of time to pay everything off. Next on my list is to find a full time job so I am making enough money to buy my soul back.
But for now, I'm going to sleep. It's early but I'm tired. The last several weeks have been way to crazy. I'm looking forward to relaxing a little.
To ring in the new year I threw a masquerade party with my friend Arrakis at my boyfriend's house. I was a little disappointed with how it turned out, but everyone there had fun so I guess it was a smashing success.
The problem I had with it was maybe a little petty. The plan was for it to be a smaller party with only people we liked there. Boyfriend's sister was allowed to have a few of her friends because, well, she lives there too. The problem was that her friends kind of took over the whole thing. And her close friends are lovely (if a little dumb when intoxicated) but in large quantities her friends and her friends' friends are obnoxious ass holes.
I guess I should have not been so anal about how things went. Overall, it was a good party and everyone had a lot of fun. The year started out well and I was with people I really am quite fond of. Best of all, I was with Boyfriend.... one of these days I might name him in this little bloggy thing.
January first was spent sleeping in, finding an open restaurant (for lunch with friends) and cleaning.
Happy 2007 everyone!
This year I think I'm going to grow up. Today I sold my soul to American Express so I can start paying off my credit cards. That may seem a little counter intuitive at first but you must understand that I actually transferred all my balances and got a card with 0% APR for the next year. In theory, that's plenty of time to pay everything off. Next on my list is to find a full time job so I am making enough money to buy my soul back.
But for now, I'm going to sleep. It's early but I'm tired. The last several weeks have been way to crazy. I'm looking forward to relaxing a little.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Humbug
I am so over Christmas. It just hasn't been very special the last few years. Last year and the year before, I thought it had more to do with working at a Toy Store than anything else, but this year it has been... blah. I mean, it was by no means horrible. My family (what little of it there is) is here and it's nice to see them. And all the food and swag is nice. But it's just not exciting anymore. It's more stressful than anything else. And any spare moment I have has been generally spent being nostalgic for the days when Christmas was (forgive me for being cliché
And presents really have nothing to do with it. Really, neither does Santa (knowing that the jolley fat man doesn't exist. Or if he does, it's just as "an embodiment of the Chrismas spirit"). I remember years when, several day before Chrismas, I would sleep in the living room just so I could look at the lights until I fell asleep. I remember when I could hardly wait to start playing chrismas music and when it was finally close enough to the holiday, I would sing carols all day. Little things like that have been totally lost.
Maybe it will all come back when I have kids (far, far in the future). Live vicariously through the rugrats?
I've eaten way too much junk in the last few days. Time to hit the gym. Or maybe I'll just resolve to loose weight next year.
Favorite present: Boyfriend gave me Mono. It's the kissing disease, isn't it romantic?
I spent all day today shopping. Looks like I'm doing the same thing tomorrow. Today I got fun stuff that I wanted. Tomorrow I'm returning gifts and getting stuff for New Year's Eve.
Sunday (last day of 2006!) is going to be awesome! And after Sunday, things will be more awesome because I will finally be able to relax. Oh! Wait! No! I have to get Boyfriend a birthday present! Maybe I should get that done this week. Do all STUFF at once so I will have nothing to do but relax starting January 1. That would be smart.
Of course, it's just not going to happen. I can't relax next year. I have to find a full time job. And probably sign up for a class or two. But that's a whole different blog. Now I've just noticed that it's one in the morning. I need to go to bed- I have a lot of schlepping around to do tomorrow.
And presents really have nothing to do with it. Really, neither does Santa (knowing that the jolley fat man doesn't exist. Or if he does, it's just as "an embodiment of the Chrismas spirit"). I remember years when, several day before Chrismas, I would sleep in the living room just so I could look at the lights until I fell asleep. I remember when I could hardly wait to start playing chrismas music and when it was finally close enough to the holiday, I would sing carols all day. Little things like that have been totally lost.
Maybe it will all come back when I have kids (far, far in the future). Live vicariously through the rugrats?
I've eaten way too much junk in the last few days. Time to hit the gym. Or maybe I'll just resolve to loose weight next year.
Favorite present: Boyfriend gave me Mono. It's the kissing disease, isn't it romantic?
I spent all day today shopping. Looks like I'm doing the same thing tomorrow. Today I got fun stuff that I wanted. Tomorrow I'm returning gifts and getting stuff for New Year's Eve.
Sunday (last day of 2006!) is going to be awesome! And after Sunday, things will be more awesome because I will finally be able to relax. Oh! Wait! No! I have to get Boyfriend a birthday present! Maybe I should get that done this week. Do all STUFF at once so I will have nothing to do but relax starting January 1. That would be smart.
Of course, it's just not going to happen. I can't relax next year. I have to find a full time job. And probably sign up for a class or two. But that's a whole different blog. Now I've just noticed that it's one in the morning. I need to go to bed- I have a lot of schlepping around to do tomorrow.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Holidaze
I think I may have used that title before. It fits though, every single year. And tis the season for things to fly by so fast that you have to unfocus your eyes and maintain a general state of catatonia in order to survive it.
If only it worked that way! No, quite on the contrary, it's impossible to sit still for more than a minute this time of year. What with shopping, parties, decorating, wrapping, traveling, cookings, cleaning, spreading cheer etc etc etc. I miss the time when Christmas was a nice holiday.
On the upside, there is this fun little animation that I found. I think it's funny. Yes, I'm a bit of a cynic get over it. Besides that little toon, the holiday season has brought about a little bit of everyting for me.
I just finished my Christmas shopping today. I would have done it sometime last week but I spent the last few days in New York (North Tonawanda to be exact) with my ninety-year-old-grandmother. I basically went out to fetch her. She flew back with me. Still coming out to Salt Lake for Christmas... crazy. She didn't want to fly alone so I went out for a few days and flew back with her.
Tonight I went to a dinner party. Tomorrow I'm making a cake for my family's big Christm... oh wait, we're calling it a Solstice Party now... anyway it happens on Friday. Saturday I'm hopefully going to spend some time with my boyfriend and then Sunday is Christmas eve and you know the rest. I'm also throwing together a masquerade party for New Years Eve. This means that things will not slow down for me again until next year.
Woo Fun.
If only it worked that way! No, quite on the contrary, it's impossible to sit still for more than a minute this time of year. What with shopping, parties, decorating, wrapping, traveling, cookings, cleaning, spreading cheer etc etc etc. I miss the time when Christmas was a nice holiday.
On the upside, there is this fun little animation that I found. I think it's funny. Yes, I'm a bit of a cynic get over it. Besides that little toon, the holiday season has brought about a little bit of everyting for me.
I just finished my Christmas shopping today. I would have done it sometime last week but I spent the last few days in New York (North Tonawanda to be exact) with my ninety-year-old-grandmother. I basically went out to fetch her. She flew back with me. Still coming out to Salt Lake for Christmas... crazy. She didn't want to fly alone so I went out for a few days and flew back with her.
Tonight I went to a dinner party. Tomorrow I'm making a cake for my family's big Christm... oh wait, we're calling it a Solstice Party now... anyway it happens on Friday. Saturday I'm hopefully going to spend some time with my boyfriend and then Sunday is Christmas eve and you know the rest. I'm also throwing together a masquerade party for New Years Eve. This means that things will not slow down for me again until next year.
Woo Fun.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
curiouser and curiouser
Things this week just keep getting stranger.
Today at work, I swear time stopped for a few seconds while I stared at a pile of menus.
This afternoon, my phone teleported magically across the room. I didn't see it, of course, but somehow, without my knowledge, it moved from where I was sitting to the other side of the room.
Talking to Boyfriend this evening, I had an overwhelming feeling of deja vu that lasted several minutes.
Creepy.
Today at work, I swear time stopped for a few seconds while I stared at a pile of menus.
This afternoon, my phone teleported magically across the room. I didn't see it, of course, but somehow, without my knowledge, it moved from where I was sitting to the other side of the room.
Talking to Boyfriend this evening, I had an overwhelming feeling of deja vu that lasted several minutes.
Creepy.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Footz
Today at work I kept forgetting which shoes I was wearing. I kept thinking that I was wearing my shoes with the kitten heel and the buckle but infact I was wearing my pink and black shoes with the 4" heel. You would think that I would notice that I was wearing a heel three times higher than I kept thinking that I was. It was weird.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Turkey
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm so full I'm not sure I will ever eat again. What a cliche thing to say, but I really am stuffed. Of course I will be eating this weekend. Mmmmm turkey sandwiches.
I'm going camping over the weekend with my dad in Capital Reef. I'm excited. Will report back later.
Tomorrow I feel like I can stop complaining so much about the Christmas music that has been on the radio all month. And the Christmas crap that is pouring out of all the stores. And the Christmas lights/trees/decorations that people already have up. Fighting the super early retail x-mas season is futile. I figure a good compromise is to complain about it until Thanksgiving and then give up and let the holiday spirit take over. The problem with starting Christmas right after halloween is that by the time December 25 rolls around, I'm all holiday-ed out. Oh well.
I'm so full I'm not sure I will ever eat again. What a cliche thing to say, but I really am stuffed. Of course I will be eating this weekend. Mmmmm turkey sandwiches.
I'm going camping over the weekend with my dad in Capital Reef. I'm excited. Will report back later.
Tomorrow I feel like I can stop complaining so much about the Christmas music that has been on the radio all month. And the Christmas crap that is pouring out of all the stores. And the Christmas lights/trees/decorations that people already have up. Fighting the super early retail x-mas season is futile. I figure a good compromise is to complain about it until Thanksgiving and then give up and let the holiday spirit take over. The problem with starting Christmas right after halloween is that by the time December 25 rolls around, I'm all holiday-ed out. Oh well.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Midtasticness
I feel like I should post something about the election that happened on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I don't really have much to say. Here in grand old Utah, voting is almost completely pointless. Utah would elect republicans even if they all started shaving their heads, painting themselves red, tatooing pentagrams on their chests and sacraficing virgins. Well, maybe not. But the elephants would have to get pretty damn close to that point for them to lose Utah. So I threw my vote away two days ago by voting straight democrat. I even voted for Matheson who is our mascot "democrat" even though I probably shouldn't have because I don't really agree with most of his schtick. My dad was hoping that Matheson would win by less than he hoped to because his constiuents voted for the green party. Wishful thinking.
The good news is that Rummy is gone. Yay.
The good news is that Rummy is gone. Yay.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Time Goes Marching On
It's midterm. My how time flies. It's also almost Halloween. I love Halloween. I'm going as Laura Croft (I Know, not very original but I don't care so much) this year. And I'm cutting my hair off Nov 1. I'm excited.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Oops, Missed.
I just discovered that the last week in September was Vasculitis Awareness Week. This used to be Wegener's Granulomatosis Awareness Week before the Wegener's Granulomatosis Association changed to the Vasculitis Foundation and thereby became slightly less cool as far as I am concerned. This is nothing against Vasculitis, but I liked it better when it was just my little disease instead of something that is just part of it.
The point, though, is that I missed the awareness week once again. Every year since I was diagnosed (4 years ago!... wow I didn't realise it had been that long) I've found out about the week just after it happens. I guess there's nothing to stop me from making people aware now, and that's kinda why I'm blogging about it, but it's not as neat when it's not a mass effort.
Still, letting people know about Wegener's Granulomatosis is important becaues it's been a major thing in my life. I posted about it back in march and things now (concerning my illness anyway) are about the same. My WG is still in remission (YAY! ... knock on wood) and I'm doing great, health wise. I can't believe that I've been living with it for four years.
The point, though, is that I missed the awareness week once again. Every year since I was diagnosed (4 years ago!... wow I didn't realise it had been that long) I've found out about the week just after it happens. I guess there's nothing to stop me from making people aware now, and that's kinda why I'm blogging about it, but it's not as neat when it's not a mass effort.
Still, letting people know about Wegener's Granulomatosis is important becaues it's been a major thing in my life. I posted about it back in march and things now (concerning my illness anyway) are about the same. My WG is still in remission (YAY! ... knock on wood) and I'm doing great, health wise. I can't believe that I've been living with it for four years.
I was actually really lucky- relatively anyway. I was diagnosed before any permenant organ damage could happen and I had a fairly easy treatment. Granted, the treatment wasn't really all that easy, but I didn't have any horrid side effects from any of the medication. Even the weight I gained from the prednisone was pretty minor compared to what some people go through with that lovely little drug.
Of course, there are always problems. I mean, at 17 it was not an easy thing to deal with. And now that I'm healthy again, it's hard for me to motivate myself to do the things I need to do. For example, I really need to make an appointment with my doctor - just for a check up. The thing is, it's hard to convince myself that I really need to see him. I feel fine. No symptoms. I very much don't want to spend 2 hours in the doctor's office, get poked with a needle, and pee in a cup just to get told that I'm doing fine.
I need to do it anyway.Thursday, September 28, 2006
What is Wrong with People??
Some people can get away with not wearing a bra. It's almost kind of sexy if one has small perky breasts. However, if you, like this lady who came through the aviary today, have breasts that sag BELOW your belly-button FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS MAMMERY wear a feaking bra!!! And I am not exagerating on this. Yes, I am prone to exageration, but I'm just not doing it now. Her boobs were seriously BELOW her waist. Not pretty. Some people should not be allowed out of the house!
Friday, September 22, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
I'm a Star!
So instead of really concentrating on reading this one book, I've been distracted for the last hour by this celebrity face match up thingy. The way it works is you upload a photo and their magic facial recognition whatever matches you up to celebrity faces. They suggest doing it with several photos to see who pops up the most.
I did it five times. The only celebrity I look like twice is which isn't too bad. According to
this photo I look 80% like her.
Some other interesting results were:
Princess Di
Penelope Cruz
Alicia Silverstone
John Denver
Britney Spears
Katie Holmes
Catherine Zeta Jones
I'm not sure I necessarily agree with any of them. In fact, I'd prefer to associate myself with Britney Spears as little as possible. The good news is that I only look 55% like her. I apparently look more like Jessica Simpson (78% according to one photo). Thank god it wasn't a personality match up.
I did it five times. The only celebrity I look like twice is which isn't too bad. According to
this photo I look 80% like her.Some other interesting results were:
Princess Di
Penelope Cruz
Alicia Silverstone
John Denver
Britney Spears
Katie Holmes
Catherine Zeta Jones
I'm not sure I necessarily agree with any of them. In fact, I'd prefer to associate myself with Britney Spears as little as possible. The good news is that I only look 55% like her. I apparently look more like Jessica Simpson (78% according to one photo). Thank god it wasn't a personality match up.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Meat Factory
School has started again.
I like my classes.
My French class is in a classroom with no AC. This is bad
My Astrophysics prof never blinks. This is weird
I'm also taking an English class and an anthropology class.
End Report
I like my classes.
My French class is in a classroom with no AC. This is bad
My Astrophysics prof never blinks. This is weird
I'm also taking an English class and an anthropology class.
End Report
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Vacations in Western New York
Everyone else has gone of really neat vacations this summer. I'm in New York now. Now, calm down, I'm not in New York City. I'm in North Tonawanda, home of the carousel. Here, it's kinda boring. And we're staying at my grandmother's house. She doesn't believe in technology. I've discovered that I have become completely addicted to my online wastes of time. Sad isn't it. Right now I'm sitting in starbucks, sipping an iced chai, and catching up on my online things. I'm such a hipster! Go me!
We're going to a play in Canada this afternoon. It should be fun. And tomorrow we're going down to a cottage on Lake Canandagua (that's so not how you spell that, but I'm never going to actually get it right). So maybe It's really not as boring as I thought. It just takes more of an effort to find things to do here. I imagine western New York is just as exciting as Salt Lake (cuz home is a laugh a minute), I just don't know where to go yet. Hey it only took me 20 years to figure in out in SLC. I'm sure I'll manage to have fun the rest of the week. I'm looking forward to being home though.
We're going to a play in Canada this afternoon. It should be fun. And tomorrow we're going down to a cottage on Lake Canandagua (that's so not how you spell that, but I'm never going to actually get it right). So maybe It's really not as boring as I thought. It just takes more of an effort to find things to do here. I imagine western New York is just as exciting as Salt Lake (cuz home is a laugh a minute), I just don't know where to go yet. Hey it only took me 20 years to figure in out in SLC. I'm sure I'll manage to have fun the rest of the week. I'm looking forward to being home though.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
(highlight to read)
This is just going to be silly questioning/rantage. Yes, I know most of this blog is nothing more than a bunch of silliness, but I still thought you deserved a warning. And, as you might have noticed, I have written in an impossible to read without highlighting color. You see, not all my threats are empty. Moving on to my useless wondering:
Why is it that we always have to label the relationships we have with people. I really think that it might be a quasi subconcious thing sometimes. Pay attention though. Suppose Person A is talking to Person C about Person B (this only happens if C doesn't know B). Person A will always refer to Person B by their relationship. For example:
Person C: Wow, I really like deep fried pickles!
Person A: That's funny because my friend, Person B, hates cheese.
For another example:
Person C: Gee-Wiz, juggling knives while putting on lipstick and petting a cute, cuddly kitten sure is a hard thing to do.
Person A: It wouldn't be if you had mad skills like Napoleon Dynamite. Person B, my coworker, didn't see that movie.
Why can we not talk about people we know without the little clause indicating their relationship with us? Even if it's just "this guy I know," which doesn't really clarify anything and could be just left as whatever the guy's name is. I think it should be Guy, just for confusions sake.
Those of you who know me probably know exactly why I'm lashing out against labels today. You all know that I don't do well with one in particular. And if you really want to avoid using that one, it gets to be very difficult when you are talking to people about whoever you are kinda-sorta-dating-but-not-seriously-and-certainly-not-seriously-enough-that-you-want-to-call-him-your-boyfriend-but -definately-serious-enough-that-you-can't-really-just-call-him-your-friend. This is all just a hypothetical example, of course. And for those of you who may or may not know better, goody for you.
Why is it that we always have to label the relationships we have with people. I really think that it might be a quasi subconcious thing sometimes. Pay attention though. Suppose Person A is talking to Person C about Person B (this only happens if C doesn't know B). Person A will always refer to Person B by their relationship. For example:
Person C: Wow, I really like deep fried pickles!
Person A: That's funny because my friend, Person B, hates cheese.
For another example:
Person C: Gee-Wiz, juggling knives while putting on lipstick and petting a cute, cuddly kitten sure is a hard thing to do.
Person A: It wouldn't be if you had mad skills like Napoleon Dynamite. Person B, my coworker, didn't see that movie.
Why can we not talk about people we know without the little clause indicating their relationship with us? Even if it's just "this guy I know," which doesn't really clarify anything and could be just left as whatever the guy's name is. I think it should be Guy, just for confusions sake.
Those of you who know me probably know exactly why I'm lashing out against labels today. You all know that I don't do well with one in particular. And if you really want to avoid using that one, it gets to be very difficult when you are talking to people about whoever you are kinda-sorta-dating-but-not-seriously-and-certainly-not-seriously-enough-that-you-want-to-call-him-your-boyfriend-but -definately-serious-enough-that-you-can't-really-just-call-him-your-friend. This is all just a hypothetical example, of course. And for those of you who may or may not know better, goody for you.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Girls Rock Your Boys
I've been on a total 80s hair band trip all week. I had "Cum On Feel the Noise" (Quiet Riot, if you don't know) stuck in my head all day. It started to get annoying. Now I'm Listening to Lita Ford. Does that really count as a hair band? It was on a CD called "80s Hair Metal" (or something like that) that I almost bought earlier this week.
My quest this week is to find a kicky hat-box. It may last more than just this week because I'm not sure I have time to really look for one. I'm not so into shopping these days and those are an odd item.
I think next time I post I will do so in a color that you can only read it you highlight it. That would be fun. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I think all this heat is going to my head.
My quest this week is to find a kicky hat-box. It may last more than just this week because I'm not sure I have time to really look for one. I'm not so into shopping these days and those are an odd item.
I think next time I post I will do so in a color that you can only read it you highlight it. That would be fun. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I think all this heat is going to my head.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Existential thoughts?
Earlier today I was walking down the street when I happened upon a man. He wanted me to tell anyone who might read this that anything thing I say about him is completely fabricated. Including any information about me meeting him and him wanting me to tell anyone anything. This man was standing under a sad looking tree and wearing a bowler hat. He may or may not have been waiting for Godot.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
On a Chopstick Wrapper:
Welcome to Chinese Restaurant.
Please try your Nice Chinese Food With Chopsticks
the traditional and typical of Chinese glorious history.
and cultural
I just love bad translations.
Please try your Nice Chinese Food With Chopsticks
the traditional and typical of Chinese glorious history.
and cultural
I just love bad translations.
Monday, June 19, 2006
I have been slacking.
Yesterday when I got off work, I hung around the bird zoo for a while and fed the Lories. It was the first time I had done so and it was super fun.
My baby brodder is home from college. Already the basement stinks. I don't see much of him, but he makes my life harder because now I have to share my car. The good news is that I also have to share the price of gas. And since he's working way out in Sandy, he's driving a lot more than I am so he's going to be buying a lot more gas than me.
I'm re-reading the Thursday Next series. They're all clever little book-nerd sort of books. Easy reads but not crap literature. I think I shall now get back to it. Thursday's currently struggling to remember her husband, Landon Parke-Lain, who has recently been killed at the age of two. It's important for Thursday to remember him because she's carrying his child. Besides this, she has to rescue the unpublished book that she's living in from being recycled and teach two generic characters how to have personality.
Yesterday when I got off work, I hung around the bird zoo for a while and fed the Lories. It was the first time I had done so and it was super fun.
My baby brodder is home from college. Already the basement stinks. I don't see much of him, but he makes my life harder because now I have to share my car. The good news is that I also have to share the price of gas. And since he's working way out in Sandy, he's driving a lot more than I am so he's going to be buying a lot more gas than me.
I'm re-reading the Thursday Next series. They're all clever little book-nerd sort of books. Easy reads but not crap literature. I think I shall now get back to it. Thursday's currently struggling to remember her husband, Landon Parke-Lain, who has recently been killed at the age of two. It's important for Thursday to remember him because she's carrying his child. Besides this, she has to rescue the unpublished book that she's living in from being recycled and teach two generic characters how to have personality.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Birfday
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
it's my birthday too ya
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
we're gonna have a good time
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
i'm glad it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
happy birthday to you
yes we're going to a party party
yes we're going to a party party
yes we're going to a party party
i would like you to dance
birthday
take a cha-cha-cha-chance
birthday
i would like you to dance
birthday
DDDAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
i would like you to dance
birthday
take a cha-cha-cha-chance
birthday
i would like you to dance
birthday
woooo dance
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
it's my birthday too ya
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
we're gonna have a good time
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
i'm glad it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
happy birthday to you
That's right kids! I was born 22 years ago TODAY
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
it's my birthday too ya
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
we're gonna have a good time
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
i'm glad it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na
happy birthday to you
yes we're going to a party party
yes we're going to a party party
yes we're going to a party party
i would like you to dance
birthday
take a cha-cha-cha-chance
birthday
i would like you to dance
birthday
DDDAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
i would like you to dance
birthday
take a cha-cha-cha-chance
birthday
i would like you to dance
birthday
woooo dance
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
it's my birthday too ya
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
they say it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
we're gonna have a good time
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
i'm glad it's your birthday
na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
happy birthday to you
That's right kids! I was born 22 years ago TODAY
Monday, May 22, 2006
Efil
I'm not sure where this came from, but it's got a very good point:
The unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time and what do you get at the end of it? a death. What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all baskwards. You should die first, you know, start out dead - get it out of the way.
You wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect you pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous (hey, you've only got a few years left, what's the big deal?) and you get ready for high school.
You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, then you spend your last nine months floating peacefully with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, larger quaters every day, and then you finish off as an orgasm.
The unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time and what do you get at the end of it? a death. What's that, a bonus? I think the life cycle is all baskwards. You should die first, you know, start out dead - get it out of the way.
You wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect you pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous (hey, you've only got a few years left, what's the big deal?) and you get ready for high school.
You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, then you spend your last nine months floating peacefully with luxuries like central heating, spa, room service on tap, larger quaters every day, and then you finish off as an orgasm.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I've seen so freakin many movies this week! Well, I guess it was in the last two weeks. I saw:
Thank you For Smoking
Slither
Lucky Number Sleven
The Notorious Bettie Page
Kinky Boots
They are all really quite good. Well, Lucky Number Sleven is maybe not so good, but Josh Hartnett is very pretty and I was more than happy to stare at him for a couple hours. The rest of them are awesome and I recommend everyone sees them.
Thank you For Smoking
Slither
Lucky Number Sleven
The Notorious Bettie Page
Kinky Boots
They are all really quite good. Well, Lucky Number Sleven is maybe not so good, but Josh Hartnett is very pretty and I was more than happy to stare at him for a couple hours. The rest of them are awesome and I recommend everyone sees them.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Rice and Beans and Cheese
Camping was fun.
AFI's new song (Miss Murder) is really cool.
Have I mentioned that I'm working now at the Tracy Aviary (Bird Zoo)?
I turn 22 in less than a month. I'm thinking a 40's or Rockabilly themed party. Should be a bitchin' good time.
Todd (my cynical ex-boyfriend) is getting married this month. I'm going to be bitter until it's over, then I'm over it. He's so changed that he's not worth the energy it takes to think of him. I'm allowed to be bitter for a little while. After all, he was my first love (or whatever).
Spring is here, spring is here, life is skittles and life is beer.
That's all.
AFI's new song (Miss Murder) is really cool.
Have I mentioned that I'm working now at the Tracy Aviary (Bird Zoo)?
I turn 22 in less than a month. I'm thinking a 40's or Rockabilly themed party. Should be a bitchin' good time.
Todd (my cynical ex-boyfriend) is getting married this month. I'm going to be bitter until it's over, then I'm over it. He's so changed that he's not worth the energy it takes to think of him. I'm allowed to be bitter for a little while. After all, he was my first love (or whatever).
Spring is here, spring is here, life is skittles and life is beer.
That's all.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Cheese Fries
You know what the best part of school is? When it's over! Yesterday was the last day of classes for me (yay) and all I have for finals is a paper that's not due until Wednesday. YAY.
I got a new mp3 player. It's pretty. I decided to be a "non-conformist" and not get another i-pod. So I am now the owner of a Toshiba 40G gigabeat. The player itself if nice. The software sucks. I've spent way too much time on the computer getting my music synched. I gave up on what I have on the computer already and am now ripping my CDs. That part's easy, but time consuming. I have a lot of CDs.
Tomorrow, I'm going camping*. I'm excited, I could definately use a few days away from people and buildings. The plan is to go to Grand Staircase. I love southern Utah, it's pretty, and this weekend the weather is supposed to be more or less perfect.
*the camping has been cancelled earlier this week and then given the green flag agian because my dad hurt his back. he's doing much better today and yesterday so, as long as he doesn't kill it again, we're going.
I got a new mp3 player. It's pretty. I decided to be a "non-conformist" and not get another i-pod. So I am now the owner of a Toshiba 40G gigabeat. The player itself if nice. The software sucks. I've spent way too much time on the computer getting my music synched. I gave up on what I have on the computer already and am now ripping my CDs. That part's easy, but time consuming. I have a lot of CDs.
Tomorrow, I'm going camping*. I'm excited, I could definately use a few days away from people and buildings. The plan is to go to Grand Staircase. I love southern Utah, it's pretty, and this weekend the weather is supposed to be more or less perfect.
*the camping has been cancelled earlier this week and then given the green flag agian because my dad hurt his back. he's doing much better today and yesterday so, as long as he doesn't kill it again, we're going.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Childhood lost
The Fandago Puppets 
are really very clever. They take paper bag puppetry to a whole new level. If only they were not so annoying. I can't help but think that the joy of making puppets is never going to be untainted by thoughts of crappy pre-movie advertisement. I made paper bag puppets when I was little. It was fun, they were cute and creative. The whole concept now makes me a little nauseous.
are really very clever. They take paper bag puppetry to a whole new level. If only they were not so annoying. I can't help but think that the joy of making puppets is never going to be untainted by thoughts of crappy pre-movie advertisement. I made paper bag puppets when I was little. It was fun, they were cute and creative. The whole concept now makes me a little nauseous.
Rave Review
I'm in the middle of a really neat book:
The author and her husband, Paul, go for a year without buying anything that's not necissary. This means no going out to eat, no movies, no new clothes, no kleenex (they just use toilet paper), no processed foods (except for bread). All that kind of stuff. It's fascinating. I don't think I could do it, it's hard enough for Judith and Paul - and they started out living fairly simply. Anyway, I completely recomond this book to anyone who feels like reading something. It's funny, smart and unusual.
The author and her husband, Paul, go for a year without buying anything that's not necissary. This means no going out to eat, no movies, no new clothes, no kleenex (they just use toilet paper), no processed foods (except for bread). All that kind of stuff. It's fascinating. I don't think I could do it, it's hard enough for Judith and Paul - and they started out living fairly simply. Anyway, I completely recomond this book to anyone who feels like reading something. It's funny, smart and unusual.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head
Holly Freaking Crap what a yucky day it is!!! In the time it took me to get from my class to the bus stop I become completely soaked to the bone. I had an umbrella but it was REALLY windy so it was raining sideways and blowing said umbrella inside out. Of course I had to wait 15 min for the bus (not a bad wait when it's not POURING FREEZING COLD RAIN sideways). I swear when I got home there was not one inch of me that was not soaking wet. And I couldn't feel any extremities. Thank God for long, hot showers.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
DietPepsiCoke
BabyRuth candy bars are yummy. And notoriously very turd like. Consider the movie Caddy Shack. Now you are almost certainly thinking to yourself "man that was so funny when the baby ruth bar was in the pool and everybody thought it was doodie and they ran around screaming and then they had to clean the whole pool and then bill murray finds the candy bar and he eats it and that's totally gross because everyone thought it doodie and because it was in a pool for a long time and that's bound to make a candy bar less delicious than in it's natural state." (eveyone thinks in run-on sentences, you just don't notice it)
I'm here to assure you that stuff like that only happens in movies. If you actually look at a baby ruth, you'll notice that it really doesn't look much like poo at all. And, if you're still not convinced that throwing a baby ruth into the pool will NOT cause uber chaos, consider this: Poo does gross things in water, like break apart, chocolate doesn't. That is all.
BANANAS!!!!!!!
I'm here to assure you that stuff like that only happens in movies. If you actually look at a baby ruth, you'll notice that it really doesn't look much like poo at all. And, if you're still not convinced that throwing a baby ruth into the pool will NOT cause uber chaos, consider this: Poo does gross things in water, like break apart, chocolate doesn't. That is all.
BANANAS!!!!!!!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Inspirationed
I was inspired by this website and my new camera phone to take the following pictures. I'm amazed that Leo sat there and let me pile stuff on him. He doesn't seem concerned at all.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Gnirps
Spring is here! Spring is here! Life is skittles and Life is beer!
Today is the vernal equinox. That means, astrologically anyway, that today spring starts. Someday I think the weather and the the sun/earth tiltage should get together and coordinate their watches. Salt lake is covered with a nice white blanket of snow. It's very lovey and very WINTER! I simply long for some green and some flowers. I love flowers, don't you? Course you do.
Today is the vernal equinox. That means, astrologically anyway, that today spring starts. Someday I think the weather and the the sun/earth tiltage should get together and coordinate their watches. Salt lake is covered with a nice white blanket of snow. It's very lovey and very WINTER! I simply long for some green and some flowers. I love flowers, don't you? Course you do.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Truly Random
Despite the title of this little blog thingy, most of what I put here is not really very random. The center of the Universe is, of course, true. Now though I'm desperately putting off studying for a French test (un examen de Francais) I have tomorrow. The internet has failed to produce anything fantastically interesting to help me in my procrastination. I'm not feeling creative enough to Google random words and see what I find. So I've turned to this blog, which I have somewhat neglected lately. Yes, I know I've posted some things, but not nearly as often as when I started. To all my devoted fans (are there 3 of you now?), you'll get over it. Tying back to the begining of this paragraph, I'm just typing whatever pops into my head. Truly random thoughts from me, the center of the universe.
Remember Mrs Lake? Only if you know who she is... East High, English teacher. One day she told my class that we should try to find one paradox every day. I think it was her (or is 'she' the proper pronoun here?) who mentioned that. I could have made it up. Anyway, I haven't. But I did stumble on quite a few today. Well, not so much stumbled; they were thrown at my head in the form of a lecture on Taoism (a philosophy that does not make any sense to me so far). The easiest is the simple form of "the liar's paradox" (or something like that):
This sentence is false
Try to wrap your mind around that one. If you Dare (insert evil laughter here). My favorite paradox that was not mentioned in relation to Taoism is probably "The Barber of Seville." I'm sure there are several versions but this is how I remember it:
The Barber of Seville shaves everyone who doesn't shave himself.
So, when he shaves himself he doesn't. But if he doesn't shave himself, he does. Very tricky that barber guy. I bet he was named Mick. Why Mick? Why not?
Remember Mrs Lake? Only if you know who she is... East High, English teacher. One day she told my class that we should try to find one paradox every day. I think it was her (or is 'she' the proper pronoun here?) who mentioned that. I could have made it up. Anyway, I haven't. But I did stumble on quite a few today. Well, not so much stumbled; they were thrown at my head in the form of a lecture on Taoism (a philosophy that does not make any sense to me so far). The easiest is the simple form of "the liar's paradox" (or something like that):
This sentence is false
Try to wrap your mind around that one. If you Dare (insert evil laughter here). My favorite paradox that was not mentioned in relation to Taoism is probably "The Barber of Seville." I'm sure there are several versions but this is how I remember it:
The Barber of Seville shaves everyone who doesn't shave himself.
So, when he shaves himself he doesn't. But if he doesn't shave himself, he does. Very tricky that barber guy. I bet he was named Mick. Why Mick? Why not?
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Doc is In
I've decided that I like the TV show House. I started watching it when USA started showing it on Friday nights. I don't watch it religiously because, like most people my age, I usually go out on Fridays. I rather like the series though - it entertains me. Did you know that Dr House is played by the guy who was Percy in the Black Adder series. I think that's funny, but it's a total side note. I watched House tonight and was kinda excited when one of the requisite (at least) 3 diagnoses was Wegener's Granulomatosis (AKA WG).
I was diagnosed with WG (as most anyone reading this already knows, maybe) my Sr year of high school. Wegener's is one of those auto-imune gems that no one has ever heard of. For a super cool text book explaination of what it's all about This site or This one are pretty decent.
As of right now, my Wegener's has been in full remission (read: I've been completely off medication) for around two years. Go me! Yes that is something major to celebrate! I'm very freakin' proud of myself there, and from this distance I can look back and see the whole thing a little more calmly than ever before.
It took a long-ass time to get over this thing. I gave up a lot, but I honestly gained a lot too. It's amazing how much you can learn when you face your own mortality at 17. I had to postpone college to finish treatment. That was probably one of the most traumatic things for me, and I fought my doctor on the issue for a long time. But it was pretty apparent that I wasn't well enough to go and it's hard to switch hospitals/states in the middle of chemo-therapy. That's right, I went through chemo. And I was on Prednisone- the worst drug EVER!! It made me gain 50 lbs in 2 months. I hated that. I hated running my hand through my hair and coming away with a handful of it. I hated being stuck at home. I hated not having the energy to do everything I was used to doing. I hated the whole two years I was undergoing treatment. Two years is a LONG time to be sick.
About a year and a half ago I had a little bit of a breakdown. I left Fort Lewis College about a month into the semester and came home because I thought I might, maybe be having a relapse and it freaked me out. Turns out it was just a cold. I went to a shrink when I came back (this was a really serious breakdown) and worked though a lot of mental issues I had involving WG. There was a lot of anxiety about a relapse and also a little Post Traumatic Stress. The chances of a relapse are pretty high. Especiall since I was diagnosed so young, I have a lot of life during which it could happen. Hopefully I've worked through my issues enough that I can deal with it if/when it happens. Hopefully I'll never have to. That's a pretty big hope.
I was diagnosed with WG (as most anyone reading this already knows, maybe) my Sr year of high school. Wegener's is one of those auto-imune gems that no one has ever heard of. For a super cool text book explaination of what it's all about This site or This one are pretty decent.
As of right now, my Wegener's has been in full remission (read: I've been completely off medication) for around two years. Go me! Yes that is something major to celebrate! I'm very freakin' proud of myself there, and from this distance I can look back and see the whole thing a little more calmly than ever before.
It took a long-ass time to get over this thing. I gave up a lot, but I honestly gained a lot too. It's amazing how much you can learn when you face your own mortality at 17. I had to postpone college to finish treatment. That was probably one of the most traumatic things for me, and I fought my doctor on the issue for a long time. But it was pretty apparent that I wasn't well enough to go and it's hard to switch hospitals/states in the middle of chemo-therapy. That's right, I went through chemo. And I was on Prednisone- the worst drug EVER!! It made me gain 50 lbs in 2 months. I hated that. I hated running my hand through my hair and coming away with a handful of it. I hated being stuck at home. I hated not having the energy to do everything I was used to doing. I hated the whole two years I was undergoing treatment. Two years is a LONG time to be sick.
About a year and a half ago I had a little bit of a breakdown. I left Fort Lewis College about a month into the semester and came home because I thought I might, maybe be having a relapse and it freaked me out. Turns out it was just a cold. I went to a shrink when I came back (this was a really serious breakdown) and worked though a lot of mental issues I had involving WG. There was a lot of anxiety about a relapse and also a little Post Traumatic Stress. The chances of a relapse are pretty high. Especiall since I was diagnosed so young, I have a lot of life during which it could happen. Hopefully I've worked through my issues enough that I can deal with it if/when it happens. Hopefully I'll never have to. That's a pretty big hope.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Communicative
I got a new phone today of the cellular variety. I'm quite excited about it. It's a Samsung SCH a950, cuz I'm sure that means a lot to everyone who might read this. It's red and it has a camera thingy and a video thingy and all sorts of other fun crap. I didn't get a Razr (everyone has a razr these days, don't they?) because those are much too trendy for my taste. And they seem like they would break if I had it in my back pocket and then sat down. And it's slightly less free than the one I got. Yes, I didn't pay for my phone. And it's not a cheap little phone either. I've been playing with it all day, it's fantastic!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Toooooozday
Yesterday kinda sucked, and it didn't even have anything to do with it being Valentines day. I had a French test first thing- never fun, ever, not even once. Whenever we have a test in that class, we have to turn in our homework for the two chapters the test is on. I ran out the door yesterday morning and left said homework on my desk. So after the test I had to take the bus home, grab my homework and then take the bus right back to school just barely in time to drop the homework in my prof's box and book it to my next class. What a waste of time! Time that I was planning on using to write a paper that was due today. The rest of my classes weren't bad, although writing was boring. Last night then I went to see a French movie avec ma mere, and that was pretty fun. I was up until one am writing that paper though. Yes, I could have skipped the movie, but I really didn't want to.
Concerning Valentines day, I kinda ignored it this year. It's a stupid holiday anyway, and (for once) I'm not just saying that because I'm single. Last year, I was a little bitter. You can go read my rant if you like, everything I posted pretty much stands. I would just like to reiterate that there is NOTHING romantic about a day set aside for romance. Romance (which is overrated in itself, but that's a whole other blog) should be spontaneous, not forced. I'm really glad I didn't have to do anything cute and sappy for anyone this year. What a pain in the ass the whole thing is!
Concerning Valentines day, I kinda ignored it this year. It's a stupid holiday anyway, and (for once) I'm not just saying that because I'm single. Last year, I was a little bitter. You can go read my rant if you like, everything I posted pretty much stands. I would just like to reiterate that there is NOTHING romantic about a day set aside for romance. Romance (which is overrated in itself, but that's a whole other blog) should be spontaneous, not forced. I'm really glad I didn't have to do anything cute and sappy for anyone this year. What a pain in the ass the whole thing is!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Passing as Thought
I'm considering becoming vegitarian. Not really because I think it's the moral thing to do.... I suppose it is, but if I take that stance I'd really have to go all the way and become Vegan. I'm just not willing to give up dairy products, I'm sorry. But the stuff that goes into meat these days is kinda gross and scary. I wouldn't mind if I could afford to get organic meat all the time, but that stuff is expensive and sometimes hard to find. So vegitarian seems to be the way to go. That way I avoid the yucky meat. If cheese weren't my favorite food, I'd probably go for Vegan and avoid all the yuckiness that some say is in milk too.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Pain in the....
throat. I have strep. I don't like it. It hurts to swallow, speak, open my mouth. And the medicine I have to take is yucky. Why do they give gigantic horse pills to me when my throat is swollen and red and unhappy. Of course, in theory, said pills should make the pain go away. In the mean time, I'm bored and can't talk.
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