Monday, December 25, 2006

Kafka

Sooo here's a little update on the life and styles of Chelsea, rich but definitely not famous. Finished The House of the Spirits this evening, started Kafka on the Shore by Murakami. I might be up pretty late, despite a back-of-the-mind plan to test out my dad's new bowflex machine tomorrow morning.

Went to visit the present yet distant grandfather today. It may be a little sick, but we made a non-official bet that he wouldn't recognize anyone, not even Uncle Bill, who'd been visiting with him earlier in the day. "So Bill (grandpa and son have the same name), have Steve and Tammi visited you yet?" "No." "How about Al and Bill? Did they stop by?" "No." (And here was the real test.) "What about Lil? Have you seen her today?" "No." My mom was sitting across the table from him. So he's not very lucid, but Brent did catch him saying something like "You better look at your watch, Lil." It comes and goes. Maybe he'll remember us sometime next week.

Here's the exciting bit. Christmas Eve saw RJ and I driving around looking for Christmas lights. We're heading up 340th St (you know, that road that goes by Safeway and Jack in the Box) when some crazy oncoming Christmas drunk swerves out of her lane, across the turn lane, and straight into the driver's side door of RJ's truck. As soon as her car started, she took off, leaving only her entire front bumper and licence plate as a souvenier. I'm okay (plus some sore muscles), RJ's okay, the driver of the other car that got hit and all his kids are okay. The black woman that caused it all gets to pay all the damages and go to jail. So. I may not have gotten a new car for Christmas, but at least someone I know did.

I also still fit into my prom dress. Tomorrow Tom and I are getting together, dressing up in our old prom digs, and doing some afternoon wine tasting. If you look past the shouting match I sat in the middle of this evening, this visit's shaping out to be pretty neat.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Personal Note #2

Lagaan was excellent. I've been putting off watching it for a while because I thought it would be dumb. Instead, it was intense. Three and a half hours went by without me even noticing. I got intense chills and goosebumps during the rain song, and haven't been so interested in sports since... well, never. I think it's the first Bollywood I've seen that didn't have a cringe-worthy sappy scene. So Chelsea. Search ebay when the drugs wear off and the checks are in the bank.

Also, went shopping at H-Mart with Tom today. I only wish Bellingham had something to compare to it. Endless rows of rice cookers, piles upon piles of asian cookware and decorated dishes. An entire aisle of noodles. Six or more different kinds of Pocky. Too many asian candies to count. And I didn't even try to explore the other aisles, my limp didn't want me to. I'm going back there before I leave Fedway, if only to buy some more dishes for la casa verde, and maybe a few fancy teacups.

Tom was also fantastic. We linked arms and limped all over Fedtown together. He got me some crazy deal at Al's Music because, well, smokers make friends wherever they go. We wrapped Christmas presents and listened to Christmas music, and the 3-foot long pipe he bought at H-Mart really does work. (He was adorable, sticking his head in the sliding door with soot smudged on his face. "Chelsea! It works! And the paint's not melting off, either!")

Ramble ramble ramble... I'm terribly sorry for anyone who's still reading this. It's keeps me occupied while I wait for the drugs to kick in and I won't feel my foot anymore. (They've clouded my mind pretty well but! the throbbing is still there!) I should have brought my paper journal home with me, to spare y'all this drivel.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Still Awake

MY FOOT FUCKING HURTS. Why didn't I ask for pain meds when the thing happened last time?! Hopefully by tomorrow the throbbing will be gone. But right now? Right now I know I'll kill my husband while having his babies, because I am a complete wuss about pain.

Chalte Chalte

made me cry. This is really just a note to myself to consider buying the movie if I still love it when I get back into Bellingham.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Ay Ay Ay

Sitting in my parents' living room, watching real cable for the first time in months. Do you know what I've decided to watch to reintroduce myself to the privileged world? Yup. Spanish channel. Spanish soaps, to be exact. Los Dos Caras de Ana.

But hey, it's not like this was my entire aim for the day. Jessica and I ran all over Redondo this morning, joined Chanel for breakfast at Shari's, then I spent 2 hours in an office off 320th getting my toenail ripped out. Yumm. It was actually excellent fun, talking to the doctor and watching him inject all the anesthesia. Then he started cutting my foot open and tearing stuff and scraping things and I got all sorts of woozy from watching. Tonight I get to sit on the couch and watch movies, doctor's orders. Never before have I had such a great excuse to watch 3 Bollywoods in a row.

Just waiting for the mail to get here...

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Leon

Today:

Read a lovely book about Latin American society and culture.
Got to see a 50 year old woman get excited like a 5 year old kid about the water slide.
Ate Boomer's burgers (yum! delish!)
Ran to/around the mall.
Heard a song called Chelsea (much better than Chelsea Who)
Did laundry/washed my sheets.
Drank white wine with my love.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Dearest

Lately I've been feeling a bit sad. Let's be honest. I've got an independent streak that smears pretty much across my entire face, with a colorful dash of antisocial behavior streaking through the middle. Oh, I do love it that way. Today I walked downtown and uptown, wearing my seal fur coat and enjoying the brisk cold air. I baked some brownies for the sheer joy of baking.
But I'm missing something. My neighbors, the most fantastic bunch of girls in the world, are up right now dyeing lacy old skirts into an assortment of wild colors on the middle of their kitchen. Yes, at 3 am on a Saturday night.
I think I need to change some fundamental behavior about myself. Let people into my life more, encourage a kind of puppy-like attitude of fun and physical companionship.
Mostly I'd just like someone to bake with.
Oh hell, I don't even know how to explain it. Mostly I've just been in a funk of missing Chanel and Tom. Maybe I'm glorifying them in my memory, but I'd like to sit and eat pineapple poolside again, faux-punk myself out in the middle of Chanel's apartment. Here's to the hope that when I go home for a week, it won't be a complete disappointment.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Minimalist points: 20

I have a new desk!! Hurrah! Rather than spend the day studying for my final tomorrow, I decided to take apart the big hurkin' Ikea Mikael desk and sell it for $100. And in exchange for the buyer's old desk. Honestly, I don't know why the kid wanted to trade up. My new desk is old and brown and shaky (it's a foldable one) yet with plenty of room to hold all the essential desk-stuff. I also got to rearrange my room so it would fit nicely. Thank you, random acquaintance Matt, for now my room is slowly being de-cluttered and starting to look like a decent bedroom.

I'm going to use the $100 to buy a whiteboard, the only item that I truly regret losing from the Ikea desk. The rest goes bankside.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Now What?

Dearest Whitey,

I do not like ribs. Never have, probably never will. However. Your ribs made me see God. As I took my first bite, the sun broke through the stormy Bellingham clouds - angels sang sweet songs of joy in my ear. Never before have I enjoyed eating slabs of sauce-covered meat and chunks of succulent fat. Never again will I taste a spanish mambo on my tongue.

And never again will I desire floss after a meal as much as I did when I ate your ribs.

Thank you for the best distraction from studying accounting a girl could want. If that's how they taste after sitting in tupperware in my fridge for over a week, I can't even imagine what would happen if I were to eat them freshly-made.

Sincerely,
Chelsea, slightly off-kilter now that the love is gone

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Like Eating Glass

I'm obviously still not ready to take my life seriously.

I read a few chapters of accounting, yeah, that was pretty productive of me. I also ate half a pizza, drank a liter of Coke, and just finished playing a game called Smite Thee where you throw thunderbolts at infidels trying to take apart your temple. Momentarily I will begin constructing various "Bollywood Dancers Use Back Door" and "Dance-Off This Way" signs to post around the houses.

It's possible that I'll find the motivation to take a few online tests, maybe do some helpful optional assignments. But I doubt it.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Friday's Payday!

I'm sure a non-musical related post would be appreciated. A darling student from my swim class bought me a root beer after lessons today. Then asked if she was going to pass. She's going to be a pro manipulator when she gains a few more years.

Went to Osaka with the lovely colored-house folks, both current and past. Number one quote from the evening, Tiana's impression of Martha Stewart: "This is how you fold a napkin into a shiv." I'm being overloaded with great foods this week. Leftovers galore. Ribs, chicken fried rice, spaghetti, and yakisoba noodles. Tomorrow I get free dinner at Lychee, which never fails to amuse.

Also, going home for a week is looking more and more bright. Lauren offered me free imax Happy Feet tickets (I'm going to see what I can do by way of Dead Sea Scrolls, too.) Jessica will be around, but duh, that was already a given treat. No, what I'm really looking forward to is seeing Tom. Yes, Tom! He's legal now, which means our prom love can finally be explored. We're going to get all classy and drink wine by the fire. And if Jessica's work won't let her take off the day after Christmas, then Tom and I are road-tripping to Bellingham. It's basically the fulfillment of my most far-fetched fantasies.

missinglunchbox: naturally, we're tom and chelsea, the coolest cats ever to cross the atlantic in search of exotic teas.
apollolandon: take from the savages! and give to our wives

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

"yeh dil huwa fanah"

After deciding to dedicate today solely to the pursuit of Financial Accounting, I promptly set about procrastinating. When neighbor AJ got out of class, it didn't take long before we decided to check out East/West Fashion, a 3-month old store with all sorts of Indian fashions. I got myself a sari, a few bangles, earrings, and a nose ring for the upcoming Bollywood dance competition. The lady running the store was absolutely wonderful - she practiced her henna skillz on AJ and I while we chatted about our dance-off (she might come just to see) and where to buy Bollywood videos in Canada. Naturally, the love for henna spread quickly, and AJ and I ended up on her floor watching Humko Deewana Kar Gaye while decorating our feet. And after? Oh, you'll love this. We busted out a Bollywood Dance Workout video to get prepped for Saturday's exhibition.

Folks, mark your calendars for Saturday. It's not an evening to miss. BYOB, dancing shoes, and prepare to watch us make fools of ourselves.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Mahi Ve

Chelsea's Christmas Wishlist:

Kal Ho Naa Ho DVD
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Salaam/Namaste

Thank you that is all.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Gulag Orkestar

My, but the internet is slow today. I've been waiting for Happy Feet to download, and it's been driving me mad.

Whitey and I finally got that mexican food we've been discussing for the last week or two. My, but I love that boy. "Anyone who can watch that guy cry in Doctor Zhivago every 5 minutes can handle Bollywood." From now on I'll be heading to the Miami Vice apartments for my 3 hour silly sessions. And in general, Matt helps a person become more educated. I was so inspired by our book conversations this afternoon that I FINALLY! finished Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and am thrilled with the idea of moving on to better things.

Of course, now I'm left looking about the room, trying to decide which of the unread/unfinished books I should pick up next.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Pornographers

Not quite sure what's going down tonight. Maybe I'll go see Sharron. Maybe I'll go to a birthday party. But I am definitely excited about tomorrow's prospects.

I burnt my tongue on an eggroll last night. How annoying.

The streets of Bellingham are becoming trickier to navigate as the snow gives way to ice and slush. Bike riding is not a smart choice right now. Trust me.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

She Went Down, Down, Down

Netflix sent me a broken movie today. I patched it up with tape and hopefully they won't blame me for their distribution problems.

Yesterday my blinds broke. I fashioned a chain of sweatshirts hanging from the bottom, you know, to keep all those cars on Lakeway from catching glimpses of me changing. Walking home today, I was a little bit horrified by the result. It's like a giant orange flag in my window signaling for everyone to look! what a weird thing to do!

To celebrate the return of my mp3 collection, I've been listening to Interpol, Wolf Parade, and Bloc Party non-stop. The newest scarf is coming along very quickly, since all I want to do is sit in my bed, knit, and think about eating glass. (Speaking of which, anyone seen The Princess and the Warrior? Every time I hear that line, I see the boy eating the fluorescent light bulbs.)

Registered for classed, and (finally!) got Geology 101 with Thor. Really, I don't think you understand how significant this is. I was on the verge of stalking him last year (facebook profile, saw him at the gym a few times, sent a couple emails... too much?) If I'd left Western without taking a class from him, it would be the biggest regret in my life so far. Naturally, there is a huge expectation he has to live up to.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

3 layers and counting

4:50 this morning I hear my favorite sound: Latin Loops, that beautiful Verizon Wireless ringtone that blares only at 4:50, no other time. It helps me recognize that with this alarm, there is no shitting around. Get up, get going, more your ass or you're going to be late.
I had to drag my poor self out of my warm haven and out into the semi-cold of the house. Actually, it wasn't so bad this morning. The gas bill will probably be $100+, but it's all worth it to be able to walk downstairs and start making breakfast without forcing myself to find my slippers first. My room is strewn with long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts and scarves and gloves and coats. I can't even begin to think, even now, of where exactly those fuzzy slippers have gone.
Rode my bike to work. Nothing special there, really, except for the 2+ inch layer of ice on the ground. I went flying the second I got off Lakeway, but it was fantastic. The risk of falling makes it all the more fun, especially since there weren't any cars on the road to worry about.
At work, a total of 5 people showed up by the time I left 3 hours later. We spent most of the time sitting around eating pizza and dabbling our feet in the hottub. There was a half-hour gap in which we searched for ideal husbands in the Level III Sex Offender lists. My guy lives in a van somewhere on Cornwall. All you ladies interested, back off. There are at least 15 in Ferndale for you to choose from, leave mine alone!
I'm taking this laptop with me to Econ today. There's no way I'd be able to stay awake without it.
Also, upgraded my Netflix account to 3 at a time. I'm very excited. Bollywood overdose, here I come!
Speaking of which, Indian Babu is a weird one. Take your chances if you must, but Koi Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho are still the best ones yet.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

voy a comprar una computadora

Last night I went sledding with Brent, Junwen, and Irene. We had the bright idea of going to the top of Jersey Street and hoping we didn't die. Mostly, we were fine Junwen tried to use a folding chair (didn't work), Brent used a storage container lid (worked fine for 20 seconds before breaking in half), we tried a garbage bag that would go 15 feet really well before stopping, and then there was the inner tube. We borrowed it from Shane, and boy, did that thing make us fly. A little too fast, actually. Irene and I hit a pole a couple times before deciding we had enough bruises.

Other than that, the past couple days have just been one long party. No school, no work, lots of free time. I've been playing my video game (30 hours!) and wandering Bellingham in search of open coffee shops. There was a slumber party at Tiana and Seth's, fresh made cookies, and lots of snow exploration. It's basically been a fantastic last couple days.

Unfortunately, my computer is still down. I'm waiting on my parents to mail me some all-important driver installation CD, and once that comes, it'll all be golden.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Quieres bailar conmigo?

I knew this was going to happen. I bought FF12 yesterday and have forgotten about everything else. Failed to take a shower today, ate an entire piece of toast, let my roommate use me as a still life because I wasn't going anywhere, and forgot completely about fixing my computer.

Man, love the game.

But you know what I love even more?

Being able to watch the snow falling under the streetlights at the same time.

Friday, November 24, 2006

I need to sleep now

Talking to my parents about their marriage:

dad: I can't imagine another woman wanting me.
mom: neither can i.


Ran out and saw Happy Feet, finally. It was FANTASTIC. Everyone must see it. The day it comes out on video, I'm buying it. (I think the people who made the movie didn't really consider how to end all the craziness. The last 10 minutes are kind of weird. Everything else? Pure genius.)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

So I don't have to do this during turkey festivities

Who knows what Jessica did tonight? She wasn't with me, that's for sure. JESSICA. WHAT THE HELL. Tomorrow/tonight better include some kick ass driving/driving tunes, or else I'm gonna bust a cap in yo' ass.

It's alright. I'm calm. I hung out with RJ instead, and it was good. We saw Casino Royale (which was highly entertaining) then sat in the H-Mart parking lot and caught up on the times. I need to find myself a best friend like RJ up in Bellingham. Someone arrogant enough to be unintentionally entertaining, but still moderately laid back. I feel boring around the hippies 'cause I don't smoke enough pot. All the kids in my business class make me feel like a hippie since I sometimes don't change out of the sweatshirt I slept in. What happened to the cool Bellingham kids who listen to neat music? (They're taking Russian History classes, that's what. Or disappeared forever like Frans.)

All I want for Christmas is: a digital camera. And tons of Bollywood movies.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Rocky Balboa reminds me of that guy from Death to Smoochy.

Last night's free dinner at Kyoto Steakhouse was delicious. It was also an excellent example of how entertaining it's going to be when Josh starts his job there. Juggling? Neighbor's got that down. Cooking? Not so much. My roommate and I are going to try the flaming onion trick next time we make enchiladas.

Watching tv at a friend's house now, waiting for 5 to watch The Fountain, after which I hit the road and head home.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Gold Bond Powder

I'm sitting in the middle of a conversation about where to put Gold Bond Powder. This is why I stay on campus every day when I could be home and sleeping by 12.

Yesterday I missed the daily post. Blogger was down the only time I came on campus to do the thing. I'm not terribly sad about it, though. Some boys were sitting in a circle drawing in their notebooks, and one of them gave me a ridiculous drawing made with sharpies. It's going on my wall.

And today, in 40 minutes, I'm going to see Cole (!!!)

Sunday, November 19, 2006

300th Post

Early yesterday morning, Rabies departed from the Green House. We had him for a little over a month - half that time he was curled in a pampered, fattened, and slowly dying ball. He bit us when we tried to hold him and refused to move while any lights were on/people were present in the room. Ryan found him in the morning, still curled in a ball, and stiff.

The idea didn't come quickly. Around 5 pm while visiting Irene at the Pita Pit, we decided that Ryan should get a gift replacement pet. After all, all the other colored houses have pets, so why should we let a dead hamster get us down? Off to Petsmart I went, and fell in love with a black and white panda bear hamster who we named Kimchi.

Kimchi is a great addition to our home. He's lovable, cuddly, and hasn't bit anyone in the less than 24 hours he's lived in La Casa Verde. He doesn't quite know how to use a hamster wheel. He likes to stand outside and sit while running the wheel with only his front paws. (Maybe that makes him smarter than other hamsters?) He even makes friends with random drunk strangers.

Basically, I'm in love. Technically Kimchi was a gift for Ryan, but it's possible I might fight for him when I move out. The custody battle will rage for weeks.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Go where you want to go

Last night was an exciting adventure of wind and bikes and beer. How could it get any better? Well, Minus the Bear made an appearance, as did the ever-infamous shirtless dancers. Pictures might surface, but I'm hoping they don't.

Pre-Thanksgiving Feast is going to shame the restaurant buffet "Real Thing". Americans should take a hint from their hippie kids and other foreign cultures and celebrate more holidays with friends and streetside celebrations.

Hopefully, at some point in today's activities, I'm going to begin my UW application essay. Wish me luck. It's the beginning of a shit-storm (I refuse to even think of the writing proficiency test I'll have to take.)

Friday, November 17, 2006

Well, Shit

This daily thing is going to get tricky. My computer definitely crashed and died sometime last night and I have no idea when it's going to get fixed.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Whoops

Almost forgot about this. I made more devilled eggs today. Spoke spanish with a table full of others. Ate banana chocolate chip waffles. Decided to move to Spain with Sharron.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The Wind

woke me up at 4:30 this morning. I was almost blown over while riding my bike to work. Stoplights are out, people are walking hunched over trying to get through the gusts. My house is literally shaking. Trees and phone poles are falling over in the streets. There's no way in hell Irene and I could drive to Seattle in this.

But you know what? That's all okay. Today is fantastic. Every gust makes me giggle and smile. Every step I want to spread my arms and let it push me where ever it will.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Too Cute

Brent and I are destined to be lifelong friends. Today, he came over and stalked about Facebook while I worked on his scarf.

Monday, November 13, 2006

I am frustrated...

... by Blogger's new beta version. It makes it hard for me to log in, and even harder to post. SO annoying. I want my old, simplified version back.

I've been listening to Shakira non-stop for the last few days. LOVE. Like today, when I was at the rec center? Totally forgot about class because I was having fun rocking out to the lady while stretching/doing sit-ups. Not like it really mattered, though, since I forgot something important. Economics was totally canceled. So while I was rushing to get food and say hi to folks and not be too late, everyone else in Econ 206 was at home napping.

I'm going to take a cue from those fantastically intelligent folks and do the same. After I shower. Shortly after I start reading my accounting book.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Mexican blankets make the world a warmer place

Last night turned into a roommate movie night. Irene, Ryan and I all sat around and watched far too movies for our own good. Dukes of Hazzard at Seth's, 3 others at our place. We all got quietly drunk while watching the Safety of Objects at 2 am.

The house hamster is failing to provide entertainment (of the usual sort). Rather than run in his wheel and wiggle his nose and do cute hamster-y things, he sleeps. He's gained massive amounts of weight, he still bites, and he falls asleep when we put him in the hamster ball. I'm just waiting for the day when we realize that he died in the corner of his cage and no one noticed.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

We'll Not Go Home Again

Old news now, but Britney Spears filing for divorce makes me happy inside. The kids are young enough that her backup dancer will generally be known as "that one sad, washed up dude that comes by every month or so."

Last night was a mess (in a good way). Decided to hit the road for a party in Kirkland, arrived around 10 to find all the kids were in highschool, trashy drunk, and puking in the sink. We holed ourselves away in the basement with the folks who'd invited us and played lots of pool, watched a little TV, and the boys got stoned out back. Hit up the Purple Dot in Chinatown, where I shared potstickers and this crazy ass french toast that Brent inhaled in about 10 seconds. Drove back and hung out and watched South Park until about 4 am.

Last night = late night. I never slept so well.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Junwen's Stupid

Just getting in today's post so I don't fail completely at this whole once-a-day for a month thing. Finished an awful movie that I started last night. Went downtown. Got picked up by Brent and pretty soon I'll be heading out to Kirkland.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Decemberists

Tuesdays and Thursdays are my comfort days. I generally make it halfway through my accounting lecture before taking off to find various interesting people in the VU. Today Cristine and I played cards with some guys I've known through Brent for a few years. Three hours a day are generally wasted in that seating area, and it's love. Sharron and I sit, search the internet, and talk about generic topics that aren't interesting to anyone but us. It's relaxing and it's turning into one of those quirky, not-so-exciting events that I base my existence around.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The Crane Wife

I must have accidentally tapped into some unknown limitless source of energy, because today is pure miracle. Work: woke up for on time, showed up on time, stayed awake and interested the whole time. Spanish. Awake. Between classes, went to the rec center and used the elliptical machine for 30 minutes, did various other workout exercises, ate a burrito and made it to Econ on time. Stayed awake in Econ. Gave Ben a swimming lesson. Seriously considered raquetball. Walked home. Considered a nap, but magically, I don't want one. It's mystifying. I'm going to do homework until the mail comes.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Tuna + Crackers = Excellent

Today I realized something about myself. Mark, one of my many supervisors at work, was talking to me about all the many things I could do to keep myself busy and get paid extra. This somehow led to a discussion about his first impression of me, and how I was complaining about teaching before I'd even been in the water. Later, he saw me teaching and was flabbergasted by the change in attitude and enthusiasm that had taken place.

My comment, "I have a habit of giving people the wrong impression." And y'know? It's true. I'll latch onto some idea or imagined trait and flow with it until the person I'm talking to either believes I a) am completely antisocial b) am chronically depressed c) have too many friends to bother making new ones d) am constantly doing some physical activity or other e) sleep around etc, etc,. The truth is, I'm just a slightly weird yet relatively normal girl who has a bad case of the impulses.

Now, Nick is drunk (something about the Russian Revolution on the phone) and he's making his way over to hang out. I'm psyched.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Under the Sea

I just finished an amazing article about a man in Peru, carving his way through the jungle for 40-odd years, hoping to make room in the wilderness for more settlers. Here is it. And here's a great quote about Incan culture:

"Well, the Incas used to practice incest deliberately," Mori mused. "Brothers would marry sisters. They'd get one superintelligent one and six idiots, throw away the idiots and make the good one emperor."

Last night I went to a ska show in Seattle. I showed Ben and Connie the excellent food that Yummy Bites has to offer, and while they did their cutesy dating thing I imagined what it'll be like to sit in Seattle next year, watching it rain before I head out to the library to study (or some other situation). Whitey met me at the show and we grooved to the music all night long. Concerts are hard to explain. The bands were excellent, but another part of the fun was watching the crowd on the floor. For about 5 minutes during Streetlight Manifesto, a tall lanky boy held up a girl's shoe, trying to find the owner. Eventually he started making his way toward the front to hand it to the band, but the girl missing a shoe finally saw him and snagged it back.

We drove home in Whitey's jeep, blasting whatever music we could find, chain-smoking the whole way because that's what you do when you're driving late at night. I think Modest Mouse and Gnarls Barkley got the most dance out of us.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Dil Chahta Hai

Watched the above movie today. Excellent. Just don't try to watch it with someone who doesn't appreciate Bollywood. Speaking of which, RJ came for a visit yesterday. I'll admit, I'd spent a few moments in the last few days pondering how it would go. Good, Bad, Mediocre... Maybe some kind of result I couldn't imagine. But you know? It went well. Not fantastic. Not awful. Not even mediocre. Just well. He and I can still be friends, and that makes me happy. The idea of RJ doesn't make my mind go all frizzy and close up. He's just another boy, one that's nice to talk to and be with, but not in any danger of messing with my life anymore.

That said, one could almost say I conned him into coming up here. He was promised the following: his Scrubs DVDs back, all the pancakes he could eat, and lots and lots of bacon. I never had to follow through with the pancake bit, but oh, the bacon. We went down to The Pita Pit where I used my connections to get about a pound of free bacon. It was all gone by the time he left 12 hours later. Just thinking about it makes me cringe a little.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Wish (Komm Zu Mir)

So I know I said last night that Friday was going to be a dull evening that I'd reminisce about to myself every now and then. Oops. Gave the wrong impression there, folks.

After talking briefly on the phone to RJ, I decided that I'd take his advice for once. I put on a nice long foreign film and proceeded to get all sorts of lonely drunk. I'm not sure how the whole drinking-by-yourself thing is usually supposed to work out, but I ended up next door at another red house party. Met lots of new people, partied in a "Russian hat", I think Zoey and I talked about Bollywood films for a good long while, and basically just got good and trashed. It was a happy occasion.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Harold and Maude is A+

Some days I run the risk of doing absolutely nothing. Today was almost one of them. However, due to the endless energy that my neighbor possesses, I pulled off an acceptable Friday night. Not one that I'll be reminiscing of for years to come, but good enough to fulfill today's required NaBloPoMo duty.

The enchiladas I've been dreaming of were attempted. They had an excellent possible success rate, what with Alex being the son of chefs and myself having endless enthusiasm for recipes. Unfortunately, we lacked a casserole dish. Amazing how one piece of cookery can throw off the whole thing. Don't get me wrong. They weren't bad (one might even say they were excellent). But they were definitely less enchiladas and more like an enchilada-lasagna hybrid.

Fuck

Sometimes I forget to check if my alarm is set for am or pm.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Saif Ali Khan, Will you marry me?

I can't get enough Bollywood. There's this insatiable crying inside my chest for colors! singing! dancing! drama! and Bollywood fulfills it perfectly.

Hollywood Video doesn't have a very good selection, though, so now I have a Netflix account.

Also, I broke into my neighbors' house today. They don't know it yet. When we were making breakfast this morning the boys left something like 12 eggs sitting on my counter. No one was home just now when I tried to return them, so I sneakily opened the door and put them in the fridge.

Breaking and entering to put something in the house. What a quaint idea. I'll bet they never even notice.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Front Porch Happenings

Anyone who talks to me for any period of time knows that my front porch is the hangout spot. Tonight just proves my point.

Nick and I were doing our thing, kicking back and conserving heat, smoking cigarettes and watching the cars. Previously to this, I made the world's most delicious imitation asian food meal, but I won't go into that. We've got our drinks, Nick's got his cloves, and we barely manage to get anything lit before realizing that, shit, Chelsea's lighter is out of fuel. 'Course, we had a whole 5-10 minutes before this would become a problem. Relax, life will resolve itself.

And so it did.

Our friend Random Bellingham Bum stopped by and asked for a smoke. He told us about Iggy Pop playing downtown tonight. He sang a song about liquor and drugs. Every other phrase ended with "you dig it?" He stole my unopened Coke. But you know what? It was worth it. I bummed a lighter from a bum.

It's yellow and simple. I'm going to cherish it always.

Holler

It's the first day of NaBloPoMo. I thought I'd kick it off by reporting that I am drunk and hungry. The mere idea of Taco Bell is driving me insane, but I don't think anyone I know can drive right now. The Halloween party I just got home from was great. Unfortunately I ran out of whiskey early in the evening and got too sober to appreciate the boy in the dress running around head butting folks and braying like a donkey.

Plus I have an Econ exam later today. I studied earlier tonight and probably will again around 9 am tomorrow.

But oh, the Taco Bell craving is insatiable.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Sitting in the VU

It's official. Spain next spring, stay on for summer. Not only will Sharron be in the area, but I'll be able to hit Tomatina and Encierro. I wish I weren't American. Our holidays are so boring.

Note to self:

Gael García Bernal is pretty.

Must watch Babel, Dreaming of Julia, Amores Perros, and Y tu mamá también.

Monday, October 30, 2006

This took 2 hours for my distracted self to write

If Katamari Damacy taught me anything, it's that the world is full of things. Here are some things I like:

tea
peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches
listening to music while walking through a blustery wind
bike riding at 5 am
shopping cart rides
my front porch, and the people I sit with
when the Western Men Against Violence brave the middle of Red Square at 9 am in the freezing shadows just to hold their signs
pictures of other people
this dog
teaching swimming lessons

And just for some perspective, here are some things I don't like:

not being able to find free music on the internet
pickles
when Firefox shuts down and I lose what I've written here
being too lazy to clean my room
rolling over and waking up at 2 am every day for the last 3 weeks
missing friends in far away places

There are a few people in my life right now that I'd like to tell you about. They are all incredibly unique people who, by merely knowing them, are able to make life better.

Ben and Nick are two folks who, if anything, have improved with age.

Ben was my RA last year. He was attentive and supportive to a complete stranger going through an almost year-long bout of homesickness (in a sense). Through knowing him I realized that some people look perfectly normal, act perfectly normal, and come from perfectly normal backgrounds. Then there are the people who look normal, act normal, and it's a miracle that they've managed to pull it off. Ben isn't an RA anymore. He has a girlfriend that he likes to go on hikes with, he's learning to swim (again), plays raquetball, and gets very defensive about what math "is".

I liked Nick for maybe 30 days total last year. The rest of the time I hated him. He was argumentative about everything, arrogant, and basically a complete tool. But when we drank together! Oh, he was my best friend ever. We had some great times, sober ones too. We played X-Men and ate together regularly (even when we were hating each other), we argued about music and argued about books.
Now Nick has a girlfriend and I'm single. I'm attributing our new change in attitude toward each other to these two facts. Both of us are more mellowed out in our current states. We argue less; we're more excited to share new information than to prove the other person wrong. I don't get to see Nick as often as I'd like. When we're together, we both become giddy and excitable, even when talking about how miserable life is. Nick likes to say he's part of the Dead Parrots Society, but I haven't seen any proof yet. He wears indie glasses, dresses indie, and listens to indie music. He has a blog, too, but uses it to hone his writing skills rather than indulge in selfish pleasures (and I envy him for it).

Josh and Alex are two of my neighbors. They, too, are extremely fantastic people.

Alex cooks as if he were born with a skillet in his hand. He probably was, since both his parents are cooks. I hear he's also been around the world and back. My factual knowledge of Alex ends there. Mostly he's just the guy I walk back from my brother's house with. We have fantastic drunken conversations and usually eat some kind of excellent food. He and Josh are both mind-bogglingly active people. Every day there is a new soccer/basketball game to be had, another bike ride to go on, caves to explore and walls to climb and I don't even know what else they do. Alex claims he'll show me these Mt. Baker hot springs, maybe even invite me along on one of those crazy excursions to the bat caves, but until then I'm satisfied with being drunken party friends.

Josh is a vegetarian hip hop artist. Actually, everyone in that house across the street are up-and-coming hip hop artists. They have a myspace page, even. Josh is a hat model about to break into the big-time modeling world. He juggles and wants to learn to knit (though from what I've seen, his juggling coordination skills don't help the fact that he's a boy, and boys have big clumsy hands that don't knit very well. Oh well. He'll get better.) Josh accompanied me on a grocery shopping trip last night. I figure he'll be my new best friend.

Then there's Sharron. I met Sharron in our American Lit class last year. We rode the shuttle together and shared a mild curiosity in our professor's sexuality. I don't think Sharron and I will ever be close, but that's okay. She's slightly crazy and so am I; that's enough. Every couple weeks she says I should join the water polo team, but I'm resisting admirably. These days I like to watch Lost at her place on Wednesdays and watch her surf the internet after class on T/R.

Brent is my only Bellingham relative left. He's my older brother by about 3 years and I'm hard pressed to think of any flaw in his personality. He is sincere, patient, honest, and intelligent. I've heard some people say he's an asshole. That's because he doesn't put up with willful ignorance. To enjoy life is one thing; to not consider how our actions might effect us later is another. Brent is a pool shark. Don't play against him unless you are, too. Brent always has a goofy look on his face, but it's deceiving. He understands more about people and what motivates them better than anyone else I know. Also, he doesn't like being teased. At all.

I'm done writing about people now. I think I'll take a nap.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Pray if you want, there's no way out

I am loving this extra hour of sleep. Put it down on paper - my vote has officially been cast to make this a weekly occurance. Who cares if the whole point is to conserve daylight? I need to conserve sleep.

By the way. Dried apple chips are not the best food to eat first thing in the morning. Wheat Thins, however, are good at any time of day. They're mildly salty and the grainy-gooey texture once you get a good chew into them is just fantastic.

Yesterday was Brent's birthday. We headed out down home around noon and hung out with the family for a good 4 or 5 hours. And you know what? No one tried to kill each other. Scott has bronchitis, so he can't talk very well. I think that had a lot to do with it. Rather than hold the conversation in thrall of how amazing his life is, we all got a chance to steer the topics where we wanted. We got my mom to cry from laughter. Every last one of us ate all the food we ordered (yup, even me. Shock!) It was the kind of family dinner that I've never believed could actually occur.

It's probably been going on this way for years, but I'm finally in a place where I can recognize it.

10:30 am update: Next time I decide it's a good idea to take a spoon and eat Nutella straight from the jar, someone, anyone, please stop me.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Jack and Jack on a summer day

COLE IS BACK.

That's right. My long-term buddy from Christian camp is back in town. He's got a condo, no bed, and a job that takes him out to sea a couple days a week. We only got to visit for about an hour. I suck like that. Planning too much in one day to accomplish (especially when I require 10+ hours of sleep to even function.) He's still rocking the shaggy hair, callused hands, and constant high that I remember. Aw, man, I love this kid so much. He disappeared for about 6 months and I figured he'd moved to Alaska or something.

Can you tell? I'm so excited I can't even put together normal sentences.

ALSO:

From Exit 230 on Interstate 5, near past Mount Vernon, go east on State Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway). Just beyond the little town of Hamilton, but before reaching Concrete, turn left on the Baker Lake Road. Follow that road to baker Lake Resort, about twenty miles. Turn Left on Forest Service Road No. 1144 (gravel and usually snow covered during the winter) which goes about three miles to a widened parking area. (It's by scenic outlook and you will come upon it by surprise.) The trail, only about a quarter of a mile long, begins from the west side of the parking area (opposite the view point). The trail is unmarked, but take the left route from the parking lot. You will soon find yourself on some planked walkway, assuring you that the hot springs is a short distance away.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Broken Beads


There's several points in the above song by New Pornographers where they just make different drunk pirate noises. It makes me happy and I like to listen to it over and over again.

Rabies is downstairs spinning away on his wheel. It makes this horrible squealing sound, but whenever I go down to just watch him run, he stops and hides in his box. Feral hamsters suck as pets.

Neighbor came across the street today and knitted (knat?) with me. It was pretty cool. Irene called us gay after he left, but she's got no ground to stand on. If we want to knit, let us knit. Life's too fun to mock.

Tomorrow, Ben and I take each other on in another game of raquetball. It's been about 2 weeks since I've played and I'm sure to fall on my ass laughing more than actually chasing the ball. (Not a single one of our games has gone differently.) He puts up with me and I love him for it.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

I only want it to begin

Every future Sunday is now officially reserved for reading A Book That Makes Me Cry. Not only does it give me a distraction from being sick, but I just don't read enough.

Today, I compromised between my love for watching the cars go by our house, and the fact that I didn't want to go outside. I sat in my windowsill, feet on the roof, Sobe in hand.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Self-Delusional

In the course of the last month, I've convinced myself I know how to knit. I don't, really, but I've got two scarves under my belt and now I'm attempting to make a gift scarf. It's a joke, really. They're all sloppy and tilty, but hey. Knitting is cool. And if I ever actually figure out what I'm doing, I'll soon have a plethora of hats and scarves in all assorments and colors. And never again will I buy another Christmas present.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Epiphany

Shaving my legs in the Green House Shower is more acrobatically challenging than having sex in the dorm showers.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Give me your eyes, I need the sunshine.

I got to scoot around Bellingham again today. Hurrah! Irene is seriously, seriously fantastic to let me just run off with her vehicle.

But I didn't accomplish anything academically today. Sigh.

Thinking about studying abroad this coming Fall. Screw UW. I want me some Spain.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Russians know how to do coats.

Any time I start feeling too serious, I turn to Whitey and Derek. Just a few hours with those boys has me telling fart jokes and making fun of women. Tonight we watched a 3.5 hour russian movie (Dr. Zhivago, whooo!) and followed it up with a trip to Taco Bell. If the evening ends with everyone standing around in a circle scarfing down food, you know you've succeeded.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

The Frames are growing on me.

I had chili for dinner. It was lovely. All bean-y and meat-y and half cheese because that's how I like my chili. Two hours later and my stomach still hasn't quite forgiven me. It's not gurgling. It's not trying to claw its way out. It's not even making me all gassy (that's a lie.) No, it's more like all the cheese inside the chili somehow turned into cement, leaving this giant ball of chili to just hang out and slowly get harder and harder as the night goes by. It's like a chili baby. I was sitting in bed and realized that my stomach is more distended now, two hours later, than it was shortly after I consumed the whole thing.

Ohhh chili. You were lovely.

I think I'm getting a job soon. Yayyy money! With my very first paycheck I plan on going downtown and finding myself one kickass scooter with which I will scoot all over Bellingham.

I watched the last half of Amelie today. That movie is just as kickass as the last time I watched it.

10:36 pm: Read about a month's worth of old posts from Sniffing Glue. I miss those days, when there wasn't much difference between what went online and what went on paper.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Uncool, Bee, Uncool

I've been under the misled impression that bike riding is a pretty mild activity. My childhood was simple and happy. I'd spend my afternoons pedalling around the two couldesacs in our neighborhood, waving to friends and their parents and knowing that all cars would stop and get out of my way.

Flash forward about 10 years. I rode my bike every now and then during that time, but usually on a bike trail with my parents or down the road to Fred Meyer. Nothing too dangerous.

It turns out that bike riding is not safe. At all. There are some who embrace this challenge, like the good folks of London who race among traffic (Bumbershoot has excellent free movies). There are others who ride fixies, bomb to and from parties on their bicycles (drunk riding is very intense, I hear), and even those who form the notorious "Bike Gangs" of Bellingham. I make it sound like these wild, adrenaline-filled rides are for those who choose them. I'm sorry for misleading you. The truth is, anyone who places their feet on those pedals is begging to be initiated into the death-defying world of two wheels, mediocre breaks, unclear traffic laws, and little to no personal protection.

Take my own sad history with this transportation of terror. Two summers ago I was hit by a car while riding on the sidewalk. Fortunately, I was only flung across the hood of their car and landed on my back, which was stuffed full of towells. Today, I was innocently riding across campus to swim at the rec center, when I got stung in the throat by a hell-bent bee. Fortunately, I'm not allergic to bees, else I'd be dead right now.

So take warning, all you would-be bike riders. It is not for the light of heart. Even if you expect to take it easy, avoid risks, and stay out of the way, life-threatening situations will find you. I just hope you're lucky.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Norwegian Wood

"Like, suppose you whisked me somewhere far, far away, I'd make lots of babies for you as tough as little bulls, And we'd all live happily ever after, rolling on the floor."

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

La Belle et le Bad Boy

(from the CD: Cinquieme As: Fifth Ace)

Yeahhh, I've made a new mission for myself: Find above CD and LOVE IT. The song was playing in the coffeehouse about 10 minutes ago and I sat completely still, straining to hear every bit, trying to remember where I knew it from. And then I remembered. It's one of the main reasons I like to watch the Sex and the City series finale as often as I do. There's a scene where it flashed between Miranda running in the streets after New York and Carrie running in the streets of Paris. Above song is playing. I always make a mental note to myself to figure what the hell that song is because it is FANTASTIC, and then, true to my nature, I forget about it 5 minutes later.

Today I had this big plan where I was going to read my textbooks and do my homework and catch up on all that stuff I suck at doing while sitting on a laptop in the coffeehouse. I've got the laptop and coffeehouse thing down, as you can tell, but I'm failing miserably at the homework. Reason #1: cannot download macromedia flash something, which I need to even see my economics homework. Reason #2: Only have 2 hours with this baby, so reading Chapter 3 online before doing the accounting homework wouldn't work, I'd finish just in time to race to return the laptop. And Reason #3: they don't allow consecutive laptop rentals, so I figure I'm just going to sit here and enjoy it before I take it back. Then I'll camp out in the library and see what can be done.

By the way. My apologies for a ridiculously boring post. Sometimes I just have to sit and write and I just don't give a shit about entertaining whoever reads this anyway.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Bike Rides, Skipping Class

Shopping and hanging out in an Irish Pub in Vancouver? Best way to beat the Mondays.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Beast of Burden Again

Man vows to fight garden gnome arrest threat

When you spend a good portion of your day surfing the internet, you come across pieces of gold. Also included today is:

Rival miners hurl dynamite at each other


Other than that, gorged on indian food and waiting for the call to go out drinking. Walking back to the truck, there was a trio of strings (violin, cello, something else) sitting outside a coffee shop playing classical music. I took a picture and can't wait to tell Jessica. My only regret is that I didn't have someone to slow dance with, like the elderly couple next to us.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Beast of Burden

Let's give a big hurrah for another day of boredom and idleness beat back through sheer willpower. Last night Ben and I went out for food around, oh, 11? With my sleep schedule and all, that was not cool. But I'd just finished my scarf and Ben was hungry and besides, he's one of my best friends now and it's nice to see him. He decided that I'm finally good enough to meet his girlfriend, so Friday night before I head out to... somewhere... with someone... (I don't actually know what I'm doing Friday night yet, Help!) the three of us are going to go someplace nice to eat and have a good ol' time. I'm excited!

But the whole point of that paragraph was to vaguely explain why I was so damn tired when I woke up this morning. A panic-filled race to beat the bus to the bus stop woke me up nice and good, so classes weren't too intolerable. At 12, met a friend in the VU, and I'm hoping to finally hang out with her off campus this weekend. We're thinking of checking out the Catholic church on Cornwall for Sunday morning mass, and if the weather's nice we'll go swimming at Lake Samish. Yayyy. Swimming!

Back to Ben. We went to Applebee's for lunch/dinner today, after I woke up from my food-induced nap. (How's this for a disgusting image. Pizza rolled up burrito-style, and eaten with gusto. Eating healthy? Not my strong point.) My salad was very sad and pathetic, but the good conversation made up for it. Got dropped off on a corner to walk my ass over to Fantasia. The spanish table was... Exciting? Hard? Impressive? Not sure what to describe it as. Hopefully I won't suck and never go back. I enjoyed it and actually spouted off some scrambled spanish a couple times. Hurrah! (Wait. I have to go back, there's no option about it. I have to steal someone's digital camera and take a picture of the photo by the cash register.)

Sooo, here it is, a little bit late, a little bit early, depending on your schedule. I might go sit on the porch and eat a popsicle. I might knit. I might just sit and listen to the Stones "Beast of Burden" on repeat for a good hour or two.

Monday, October 02, 2006

Here Come the Redcoats

Last couple days have been alternating between intolerable and fantastic. Today was better than Sunday, by far, so I'll focus on that instead.

Skip all the boring stuff until 3 pm. Showed up for the tennis club meeting and I was the only beginner in sight. They tolerated me as long as they could, and they tried hard to be excited, but man. There is no way a 19 year old girl who has never had any hand-eye coordination to speak of will ever be able to keep up with 20-something students who have been playing since junior high at least. I said I'd show up again tomorrow, but it's already looking doubtful.

So, walking home, decided to call Ben and see what he was up to. Seeing as he was just getting back from raquetball, our sports connection decided that we should hang out. I met his kickass friend named Sam, a super-blonde Ukrainian (think David Saunders) who lives on Lummi Island with his clan of relatives that steal cheap liquor from each other. Random quotes from the evening flew thick like wildfire, this guy is completely hilarious and had Ben and I in tears of laughter while we ate at Boundary Bay. (That's right! I finally went! And got myself a beautiful maroon sweatshirt to go with it. Just need one more beer-related piece of clothing, and I can leave Western with a clear conscience.)

Finally, came home and made a few phone calls. While this all may not sound super-exciting, it's added up to me = very happy. And tired.

It's a sad day when I decide to go to bed around 9 pm, but hey, that's how I roll.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

I have awesome pigtails.

SO very bored today. Listening to Guster and the Pale on repeat, trying to do economics and accounting homework. Oh God. It's so dull and repetitive. Thinking of doing another rum 'n coke 'n porch night, although also considering how to make hot rum toddies seeing as the weather has been progressively colder in just the last 4 days. Guess it depends if Dan ever calls back, might just get drunk with Irene and forgo any pretentions to class.

Sad thing is, I've only been up for 6 hours. Sleeping in that late is gross. Time to set an alarm for the weekends, too.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Please, Baby Please

Ohh my lord. This night has to be reported. I have officially found the coolest underground Bellingham hippie connection. It's called Sushi Night. The most hippy of the hippies get together once a week to make amazing sushi, then sit around and drink beers, smoke pot, play the drums and flutes and guitars and dance. Shoeless Dave led is all in a round of Cohen's "Hallelujah". This awesome guy Clay with dreds stood in the middle of the lawn and did some sort of fire dance, where you swing two flaming balls on chains around. His pants caught on fire and he didn't stop for a second.

Now, naturally, I was too awed and shy to really meet anybody, but if Irene and Tiana are making a ritual of this, I'll be sure to invite myself along. -- They have Om nights when they sit in a circle, hold hands, and tell each other about their feelings and thoughts and theories, then they join each other in a loud "om". God I wish I still believed I could be a hippy.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Awesome!

Home internet is up and running!!

Now we just have to get the hot water back, and everything's gravy.

I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You

I feel like talking.
Without you here,
There is less to say.

Oh Garden State soundtrack. I thought I'd lost it, and was pleasantly surprised when one of the songs came on through shuffle. So here I am, practicing Zen while waiting for my next class (1.5 hours from now.) I really do love my new mp3 player; I always get a confused look when I refer to is as my Zen, and it's nice to have a moment before admitting I've embraced consumerism. (I just saw my husband walk through the library. He didn't even look at me. I'm going to complain to Prof. Hugo about it.)

Elaina's been bragging about her new true-hippy music tastes, and nagging me about how I didn't introduce them to her. Sweetie, the mellow stuff that I've embraced came after an overdose of Marley and Zeppelin and the Stones while I was in high school. Good people, though, and I'm glad you're so excited about them.

Which reminds me. I need to look up Reverend Horton Heat, I've been hearing him mentioned and seeing reminders in ads and websites for the last 2 months.

Anyway, must talk to Jessica on the phone now and tell her how fishing went last night. (I went fishing last night!)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Brought to you by a laptop and a retro couch

It's so rare that I log in to Blogger from a different computer that it takes at least 5 tries before I get the right password. Today, I got it on the second try. Go me!

Was visiting BoingBoing today, and came across this. Figured I had to share it. Related yet unrelated, I'm thinking of going to Chile instead of Spain. Hell, if I want to move there, shouldn't I go and visit first? Of course, if I go to Spain, I can stay on for the summer and travel around Europe.

Also, I've been staring at the cover of Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood for a while, and I've decided that I want to be a full-blooded japanese beauty, with angled features and wide eyes. Although, seeing as the plastic surgery for this would cost more than I'll earn in my lifetime, I'll settle for being immortalized as an anime character.

Well, shit. I knew the Dead Sea Scrolls were coming to Seattle soon, but it turns out they just arrived yesterday. That was sooner than I thought. Since they go away in December, I might just have to borrow Brent's car for a day and go down to see them. Also, Femke Hiemstra is having a show in Seattle in the spring. Orrr in Vancouver - MARCH 8 & 9, 2007: 'Ladies only' art show, visual art by intermational female artists at the Tart Gallery, #C8-238 E. 10th Ave, Vancouver, Canada www.thetartgallery.com. Jessica, where are you?? I know you'd be up to these road trips at the drop of a hat. Goal for the year: Find unabashed lover of all things wonderful with too much free time, and maybe a car.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I'm killing time. Three hours from now I'll head to the train station, 7 hours from now Brent will pick me up and take me home. From there, who knows? But right now I'm going mad with boredom, drinking too much Diet Coke, and trying to be patient with my oh-so-tiny music selection.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Hurrah!

Someone called my mom this evening. I guess she didn't like what they had to say. She came out of the computer room muttering, "What a stupid bitch..." This marks a new holiday, folks! First time I've ever heard my mom swear!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

But I'm leaving in 3 days!

Early yesterday afternoon I noticed that our garage had a faint skunk odor. I like the smell of skunks (in small doses), so I was fine with it. Well. It looks like Mr. Skunk decided to take up residence under my window, because all night I long dreamt of the smell. Then around 3 am I woke up to realize that the smell was everywhere in my room. I shut my window, but the damage has been done. My room/the whole house reeks and there's no way to air it out. Ugh. Stupid skunk.

Monday, September 11, 2006

I've been saying "yar" in my head a lot lately.

five more days can barely wait it's so exciting! can't wait to see irene and seth again, can't wait to play raquetball with ben, can't wait to take beautiful photos of nick by the ocean.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Wishing I'd bought that Thievery Corporation poster

While wandering the house and thinking of different topics I'd want to write about, I came to a realization. Late-night posts are not healthy. Every idea that popped into my head was one of self-analysis coupled with self-pity. Not wanting to get into that kind of rut, I've decided that tonight's post will (hopefully) be the last of the latenight variety.

I'm Totally Not Down With Rob's Alien

Once again, it's getting super late (early?) and I have to work in 5 hours.

So this evening my dad took me down to Tacoma to the shooting range. We both shot my grandpa's revolver at a blue target, taking turns to get groupings in a specific body part. I did best while aiming for the stomach, while he showed me up with almost perfect aim every time. I'm hanging the target on my door at school as a memento. I'm hoping I can get him to take me out and use the rifle before I go. Considering I have a little more than a week left, though... Who knows?

GOD, this week seems like it's going to take forever. Made an appointment with the doctor to check out the bump on my foot. Baked snickerdoodles and ate a pineapple. Watched a 5-hour movie. Reading books and cleaning room and in general just trying to find a way to pass the time, now that my hours have been cut back at work and my parents like to steal the van from me. Why did everyone have to go back to school already? Why does Western start at the END of September? I'm going to fade away into a mist of boredom and depression, everyone will forget I ever existed, and I'll just float about the South Sound for all eternity, searching for some excitement.

On another note, Bumbershoot was absolutely fantastic and I think it's just the jolt from OHSOMUCH to absolutelynothing that's got me into this cabin-fever craze.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

listening to Rilo Kiley without hearing words

Note to self: Steer clear of petfinder.com for a few years, otherwise may end up with an adorable puppy and no time to take care of it.

Not sure what to do today. Considering sticking up the library to find address of person holding my books hostage (ie, got there first and checked them out). Mom's sick and doesn't want to go to Seattle. Disappointed. Maybe I'll spend more money and go buy the Collector's Edition of BBC's Pride and Prejudice. Which reminds me, I was going to google images of Jennifer Ehle. ... Googled Jennifer Ehle, and I'm disappointed. Maybe I should leave actresses I've never heard of in their movie-roles, as seeing them out of character ruins the whole effect. Although this also increases my urge to buy previously mentioned movie.

'Course, driving away means I'd have to wax the van first. Do you have any idea how big that thing is?? I guess I'm willing to do it. Maybe I could get a couple bucks for the job, too.

First things first. Put clothes on, dry hair.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Shut Up Already

To all of you getting the wrong impression: I'm sorry.

All my posts seem to be about how unhappy and stressed I am. Truth is, while this summer has been eventless to the point of being completely immemorable, I'm loving it. Today I drove to Jessica's bookstore in Tacoma and bought 6 books for $30. The place looks small-ish on the outside, then you walk in and it's like that bookstore across the street from Michael's in Bellingham. (Why is it that I can't remember the name of the bookstore I worship, but can vividly recall the name of the bookstore I disdain?) Except Tacoma Books is way more packed, the shelves so close together that taking a step back to read the top shelves places you firmly pressed against the shelf behind you.

The drive, too, was fantastic. I'm going to miss having a car terribly, seeing as my moments of zen come from driving with the window down and music blasting at all hours of the morning/afternoon/night.

My last day of swim lessons was today. Received a $25 gift card to Safeway that I would have felt lackluster about last year. I hugged both the kids with joy, because now, I can go grocery shopping! $25 is like 7 boxes of cereal! Or 6 12-packs of Diet Coke! Or a bunch of pineapples! I am so excited to use it.

Papa Erola called around noon and told me he wants to push back my moving day to Sunday, the 17th. Even one more day seems like an eternity. The 14th is my last day at work, and I'd planned it so I'd only have enough time to furiously pack, and I'd be in Bellingham before I'd know what happened. Oh well. I suppose my grandma's more important. Maybe I can get her to help me pack.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Whew

I don't know if I did it on purpose or if it was just a nasty coincidence, but I predicted how my whole summer was going to go. A week or two before heading home for the summer, I updated my facebook account to let everyone know that my summer activities would go as follows:

Well I been workin’ in a coal mine
Goin’ down down
Workin’ in a coal mine
Whew about to slip down
Five o’clock in the mornin’
I’m up before the sun
When my work day is over
I’m too tired for havin’ fun
Lord I am so tired
How long can this go on
I been workin’ goin’ workin’
Whew about to slip down

It's completely accurate. It's a rare day I manage to stay up past 10 pm. Between getting off work and bed I usually opt for reading a book, rather than make an attempt to go and entertain/be entertained by other people.

Take today. I'm thinking about turning off my phone so I don't have to keep the plans I made on Tuesday. Does this make me a bitch, or just tired? Not sure. I suppose more of a bitch, because instead of seeing Sam I want to go to Jessica's used book store in Tacoma.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Later that same day...

My parents left for some place this morning, not sure where. Let me check. ... Glenacres Inn. Anyway, most of the day was a celebration of solitude, as most of my summer has been. I got lazy and hot and decided to walk around in my underwear after I got off work. Here it is, 6 hours later, and the idea of putting on the boy's boxers to sleep makes me feel all itchy and uncomfortable.

Things I did today: ate two bowls of Special K strawberries and 2 granola bars. That's all. But you should see how many empty Diet Pepsi cans are laying around. Found 3 different tubes of KY Jelly in my mom's nightstand. You didn't want to know, but neither did I. I stole her quarters for this year's laundry money as payback. Found $150 cash in an old wallet that's been sitting in a drawer of junk in my closet for about 3 years. Melted down 5 candles - 4 in a soap dish and 1 in my parents' hanging candle holder. The whole candle search was the original reason for digging through my parents' drawers. I learned my lesson there.

I've been reading up on my friends' summer blogs, and I'm feeling a definite lack of enthusiasm from my quarter. Oh, Bellingham will be lovely. I'm psyched about getting up there and finding a job and really digging my feet in to make this next year work. But there's also that part inside of me that is screaming "ohshitohshitohshit" over and over again. Certain people can make that voice go away. Left alone, however, and that voice will tear through me and prevent any kind of normal social functioning. I didn't read books all through junior high and high school because they were more interesting than the people around me. I read them because I needed that barrier to keep me from facing my fears.

Has anyone ever heard of this? "Face your fears"? I'm sure the term has been around forever, but it's a specific thing that the boys on my junior high bus did to each other. Face your fears meant that as you got off the bus, you had to trip and let everyone make fun of you. I only remember two of them ever doing it, but it came up at least once a week. Well, this year at Western I'm going to have to face my fears. I don't have a cousin and a clone to fall back on. I might have to take Chanel's definition of a break from the boy just to get myself into perspective. But I'm not going to hole up in my room and sit around in my underwear. I'm going to ride my bike and walk downtown and sit in the coffee shops and finally go down to the Downtown side of the waterfront.

I'm also going to buy some candles.

Stars - Your Ex-Lover is Dead

Man. I just spent a good 15 minutes trying to log in to Blogger. I guess Google acquired it officially since now and the last time I posted, and they tried to tell me I have no other login than my gmail account. Very annoying.

I've been in a bit of a blue funk all day. All week, really.

I may be driving myself nuts over nothing, but at least I've got the support of my parents. Most of the evening was spent wandering in and out of my dad's office, laying on the bed in there and complaining about how bored I was. About an hour ago I finally spilled what was on my mind, and he simply put his hand on my shoulder and said, "I've been watching you. You've put a lot of time and effort into this, and I'm proud. Even if things don't work out, I'm impressed." Maybe it didn't fix all the paranoia running through my head, but at least I know someone's got my back.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Excerpt from East of Eden

Cal crept quietly down the dark hall and edged into the room where he and his brother slept. He saw the outline of his brother's head against the pillow in the double bed, but he could not see whether Aron slept. Very gently he eased himself in on his side and turned slowly and laced his fingers behind his head and stared at the myriads of tiny colored dots that make up darkness. The window shade bellied slowly in and then the night wind fell and the worn shade flapped quietly against the window.
A gray, quilted melancholy descended on him. He wished with all his heart that Aron had not walked away from him out of the wagon shed. He wished with all his heart that he had not crouched listening at the hall door. He moved his lips in the darkness and made the words silently in his head and yet he could hear them.
"Dear Lord," he said, "let me be like Aron. Don't make me mean. I don't want to be. If you will let everybody like me, why, I'll give you anything in the world, and if I haven't got it, why, I'll go for to get it. I don't want to be mean. I don't want to be lonely. For Jesus' sake, Amen." Slow warm tears were running down his cheeks. His muscles were tight and he fought against making any crying sound or sniffle.
Aron whispered from his pillow in the dark, "You're cold. You've got a chill." He stretched out his hand to Cal's arm and felt the goose bumps there. He asked softly, "Did Uncle Charles have any money?"
"No," said Cal.
"Well, you were out there long enough. What did Father want to talk about?"
Cal lay still, trying to control his breathing.
"Don't you want to tell me?" Aron asked. "I don't care if you don't tell me."
"I'll tell," Cal whispered. He turned on his side so that his back was toward his brother. "Father is going to send a wreath to our mother. A big goddamn wreath of carnations."
Aron half sat up in bed and asked excitedly, "He is? How's he going to get it clear there?"
"On the train. Don't talk so loud."
Aron dropped back to a whisper. "But how's it going to keep fresh?"
"With ice," said Cal. "They're going to pack ice all around it."
Aron asked, "Won't it take a lot of ice?"
"A whole hell of a lot of ice," said Cal. "Go to sleep now."
Aron was silent, and then he said, "I hope it gets there fresh and nice."
"It will," said Cal. And in his mind he cried, "Don't let me be mean."

****

Now for some back story to help you understand. Cal and Aron are twin 11 year old boys. Aron is blond and beautiful and loved by everyone. Cal is dark and quiet and unrecognized. He lashes out against this rejection by hurting people, making them feel ignorant and distrusting themselves. Aron believes their mother is dead and buried across the country. Cal has just learned by eavesdropping that their mother is the owner of a whorehouse in town.

This was the passage that made me realize this book is everyone's life, wrapped up in fiction. I've personally had those nights where I've cried for acceptance, begged some unknown force to make me let go of my rejection and the cruel thoughts that follow. I can't imagine many who haven't. To not be afraid of those dark thoughts simply isn't human.

Anyway, anyone out there who can appreciate a good book, pick up East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. I cry every time I read it, so you should at least feel some slight twinge of emotion.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Sick Day

While laying stretched out across my bed at 10:30 this morning, trying to fall asleep again, I had the most wonderful daydream.

I imagined myself riding my bike around the block. Naked.

Friday, June 23, 2006

One Month Later!

I've been informed that my blog is in sad need of an update. So here it is: my life story.

Yesterday during an impulsive trip to the ortho, it was discovered that my teeth needed just a tiny bit more readjusting. I am now the proud new owner of a very, very painful new retainer (well, thank god the guy does invisalign, right? No braces!) Unfortunately, this leaves me feeling not too hot. The boy saw first hand how much it hurts to take them in and out, not to mention what eating is like. Soft foods only, thanks. Today when I screamed my frustration out for several minutes in an empty house, I decided that painkillers might be the only option. Alas, the good stuff is well over a year old. It seems that no matter how clumsy and accident-prone I tend to be, it's never enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. And perhaps year-old narcotics aren't the greatest idea. Twenty minutes into my shift at work, I broke out into a sweat, got very very dizzy and very very nauseous. Fortunately my boss is very understanding, and I was soon slowly driving the mile back home to my house, where I could lay down and wait for the room to stop spinning. The pills, naturally, ended up in the toilet.

In other news, I spent much of the afternoon with Tommy, Hayley, and Jessica. Before the two girls joined us, Tommy and I dinked around with my bike. We managed to get the tires filled again (a superhuman feat, I assure you) but the Slime experiment failed miserably. That green goo's been injected into my tires so many times that it started seeping out before we'd fully deflated my tires. Instead I just stole my dad's hand pump and I plan on taking it with me everywhere I go from now on. I think I'll tell him tomorrow evening when he gets home.

Other than that, my evening consisted of many episodes of Veronica Mars and several packets of Minute Made fruit snacks.

Oh, and one last thing. I am loving this whole room/bathroom/entire house to one's self for the better portion of the day. My bathroom is piled high with clothes in a way it never was when Scott was still around. My new big bed gets more attention than my computer chair. Books are strewn carelessly about, joined by the many cans of Diet Coke that my parents keep supplying. Home is Heaven.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

HiC's Legal!

... In Canada. Elaina and I went out to Anthony's to celebrate. They gave us an option of waiting 20 minutes for a table or going directly to the bar to eat. We were both insulted and pleased because 1) we looked 21! and 2) we weren't in Canada. Damn.

Things I got: 48 capsule box of Sudafed Sinus Headache, bag of Riesens, Communist Party t-shirt, free lunch, free pastry from worker at free lunch's location, a 10 minute phone call from my mother, flowers (from the weekend), free dinner, and the fantastic memory of running down the street in heels and a sundress, holding my coat over my head as the rain poured down.

Happy Birthday to me!

Monday, May 22, 2006

My Bad

This is an apology to my weekend companion: I suck. Not only did I give the worst performance of a sane person ever seen, but I had the audacity to put the blame on someone else. Last night I feel deeply asleep around 9:30 and slept blissfully for 12 hours. I woke up, sore and sniffly, to the realization that the constant headache of Sunday evening wasn't just from being tired and whiny, but also from the oncoming spring cold. The next few days will be spent napping and spending time with the couch while I try to own up and girdle my loins for next weekend.

Also, my birthday is tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Blurb

With all these beautiful sunny days in a row we're having, I'm fast running out of things to do. Yesterday I talked to a girl about kayaking -- plans fell through and here I am wondering what to do.

Last night was a fun late-night frolick with Ben. He wouldn't call it any kind of late, but since we left after dark, I say it counts. Saw the movie Stick It, which is fabulously entertaining when you have no idea what to expect.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Tonight is the BBQ! It's possible that it will be a huge flop - too many people invited, not enough confirmations. However, the simple idea of grilling burgers and wearing a sundress is enough for me.

The end of the year is bearing down on me with the same unexpected speed that the end of last summer did. I've realized that this life is one helluva fantastic game for me. Studying, playing, lounging in the sun at parks on a blanket or walking back and forth across campus at night -- I'm going to miss it all. The friends I've made are ones that I'm hesitant to lose. Who knows how summer will bring? It won't be like last summer, I already know that. RJ will be in Seattle, so no late-night cartwheeling rampages at Saghalie. Gas prices are shooting higher every day, so even the Seattle<-->Federal Way commute could hurt. Chanel, well, I like to hope we'll just forget all the distance that's come between us this year and just be summer sisters again. I'm pretty sure she thinks the same way, so it shouldn't be too bad. (There's also one huge stress factor that's been resolved. No more moping around 25% of the time.)

Not that I really have a whole lot of interest in worrying about the coming months. Daylight is practically endless, the sun is out and it just keeps getting warmer. How could anyone feel bad about life??

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Tag

This game starts with 6 weird/quirky habits/things about yourself. Fun on a stick, love.

1. I sleep with a pillow between my legs. It's supposed to be good for the hips, but honestly, I don't care. It's just more comfortable.

2. I only floss my teeth in the morning.

3. When I was 13, I stole two of my oldest brother's CD's: Greenday's Dookie and Third Eye Blind's first album. These days, I cannot stand listening to Green Day, but turn 3eb on every day.

4. Every time someone else says 'good' instead of 'well', I feel smugly superior. Even though I usually make the same mistake.

5. If anyone else is in the house/dorm, I can't fully relax while taking a shower.

6. I like to eat sour cream straight from the carton.

Hot Apple Cider

I went on a bike ride this afternoon! It felt fantastic, it was the first time I've had time to go out and do some real hard exercise since the first week of this quarter. After a fiasco with pumping up Jack's bike tires so Elaina could ride it, we took off with sunglasses on and hair flying, legs pumping and hearts thumping. I had one destination in mind - Fairhaven Park (or Chuckanut Park, I've heard both names for it). People were scattered about the park on blankets and towels, soaking in the sun and enjoying the afternoon. Some people played basketball, some played frisbee, several clumps of girls were laying around in their bikinis, and one couple was chasing their pet rabbit around on the grass. I'm planning on going back many, many times -- but with a good book. The Tale of Genji may be the first novel ever written, but that doesn't make it a good read.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Home

My brother, his girlfriend, my cousin and I all went down to Bellingham's Secret Beach today. Much like the secret beach in Federal Way, there is a giant driftwood fort. That's where the similarities end. This beach extends forever in all directions, with no gross port boats in your way - literally, it's just you, the beach, and the rest of the bay. During low tide you can walk out onto the muddy dunes until you're almost a half mile away from the 'real' beach. Dogs love it, they go mad chasing the seagulls and often attempt to swim the impassable current out to the other sandbars.

About this fort, though. Before the police came and tore it down with chainsaws, it had two stories and multiple rooms. Brent showed me the extent of the fort -- it covered more ground than the house I'll be living in next year does. All sorts of inspiring phrases are written on the different pieces of driftwood - some are also painted in exotic colors. Locals who built the fort are currently working on resurrecting it - one large room is finished so far, lashed down with wires - and in the meantime, a sign dedicates the site "In Loving Memory of The Villa".

Basically, I love that place. Someday a dear, close friend of mine will find access to a car, and we'll drive all around Bellingham together, exploring and discovering all these fantastic locales. I don't know who this lovely friend will be, but in the meantime, Brent will do.

I need to: eat at Diego's, rediscover the route to the beach, stand in awe of the expensive mansions along the way, find Brent's pink house, and fire-bake hot dogs next to the ocean. Next week Elaina and I will try to arrange a BBQ at Lake Padden, and if that doesn't work, I'm going kayaking.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Eye of the Tiger

Mid-conversation with my roommates last night, I stumbled upon a fantastic concept: withdrawl. Not the kind I'm used to, where I miss my boyfriend/sleep/reading/anything I passionately love and desire and haven't been getting enough of. No, I'm talking about the kind of withdrawl where you stop going to class and receive a W on your transcript instead of an F. So here it is, kids: Not only did I get to learn about Islamic conflicts in the Middle East and read all sorts of materials I never would have picked up on my own, but I don't have to write a paper about it and I don't have to go back ever again. Celebrate!

So here it is, 2:30... There are plenty of options out there, but I think I'm going to take a nap.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

My own true love, lost at sea.

I got all excited about the possibility of wearing one of my new dresses today... So of course the weather turned gross. It's actually not too bad, all cloudy and semi-raining but the ground's still dry enough to wear flipflops. I'm going to the doctor this afternoon, having them re-examine my toe and give me some kind of diagnosis. Maybe I'll just have them rip the whole thing out and let it grow back under a fake toenail, like Elaina claims she did.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Tristan und Isolde

In celebration of the recent amazing weather, I've spent no less than 8 hours, probably more, in direct sunlight within the last 48 hours. Hey, I know it's not a whole lot, but I have to go to class sometime. The result of these 8 hours of sun is that I now have a nice sunburn on my right shoulder and left boob. Weird? Definitely. But my face also has a healthy rosy tint, and I smell like sun and sun-induced sweat. It's my favorite smell in the world, second only to banana-scented sunscreen.

In other news, Nick and I went to Fred Meyer today in search of leftover Snickers Eggs. Our search was a failure, or a success, depending how you look at it. Vault soda (aka Surge reincarnated) is selling for 79 cents! It was delicious, and I stayed awake all through math today. Yes, those two facts are directly correlated.

Tonight I just may be watching a chick flick with 'Lainey. This Tuesday is, surprisingly, shaping up to be not so bad.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Wednesday AM

I have a test in 45 minutes that I have neither studied for nor bothered to read the textbook for. I failed a math test on Friday (40% whoo-hoo!) but essentially aced my Spanish test yesterday. Today I am going to stop trying to read The Question of Palestine (I went to class. I heard what we were supposed to get out of it), and instead jump joyfully into the Satanic Verses. Other plans for today include: sleeping, talking to teacher about said failed math test, perhaps watch a movie with my cousin's boyfriend (or go jean shopping with cousin, whoever wants me more), and finish getting dressed. Right now I am only wearing one shoe, and I know someone who might be mad about that.

The moral of this story is that I have nothing to talk about except how busy I am. I am just that uninteresting. I'm going to be one of those pregnant women who only talk about their pregnancy, then proceed into being one of those moms who only talk about their kids. My life can only associate with the here-and-now because I have no imagination. Sorry all you others who are unlike me, I can't talk to you. I just wouldn't understand.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Technocakes are the new fad. Goodbye, Cake Cakes.

On a normal day, I would kill for just two whole hours to do nothing. And by nothing I mean play on the computer and take pictures of myself and play with my hair.

But then we have today. The notorious Wednesday. Yes, yes, I know I had the exact same schedule every Wednesday last quarter, but going from constant stress and over-work and absolutely zero downtime to... this... this smorgasbord of free time... it scares me. I'm like a mole who's been digging, digging, digging away in his dark little tunnel who suddenly hits the surface and is surrounded by this world of bright lights and dogs barking and open air. I don't know where to start. Instead, I find myself sifting through Cosmo, listening to Moby, taking pictures of myself and playing with my hair.

I have about 3 hours before I even need to start thinking about that movie I'm supposed to watch tonight. In the meantime, I'm sorely tempted to go down to Haggen and buy expensive facial cleansers, lotions, bronzers and eye-makeup remover. (Not eye drops, though. I have more eye drops than any person could plausibly use in their lifetime. Hey, I'm not a stoner! I just get seriously over-concerned every time something abnormal happens to me, provoking me to go out and buy tons and tons of different medicines to cure whatever that abnormal color may be. Turns out it was pinkeye, so the Visine was pointless.)

I don't think I'll be buying any facial cleansers. Maybe a moisturizer, because I really do need one of those. But if I do make it down to Haggen, I'll be going for the fruit. Mmm, just the thought of a ripe peach, or a juicy mango, or better yet --- freshly cut pineapple!! -- has me very, very excited.

New pictures on Flickr, by the way.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Feeling like a Criminal

If you haven't noticed it already, I got a flickr account! (That's what that pretty flashy little box is over on your right.) Unfortunately, life mostly consists of homework and studying right now. These things don't make for good photo ops. Perhaps tomorrow at Open Mic something will inspire me, but mostly, I'm holding onto the thing for parties, get-togethers, and when RJ's not looking.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Breakdown

You know you're stressed when a series of cute animal photos with cliche phrases makes you cry.

I walked out mid-class today, shaking and sweating, heart beating rapidly. It's time to sleep.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

I ♥ Mom

A few weeks ago when I was home, there were a couple days when I worked from early in the morning til late in the afternoon. On one of these days, I came home and crashed on the couch, refusing to get back up. My mother asked if I was okay. "Uhnn, today was terrible," I replied. Which caused her to immediately intone, "Aw, my poor Alexander. Alexander and the Terrible," at which point I joined in and we chanted together, "Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!" I laughed as my mom continued, "Bad days happen everywhere, even in Australia."

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Just One More Moondance

Elaina made me smile today. She went to get her hair cut, and when the hairdresser commented on its choppiness, she said "I let my little cousin cut it."

Today, right before deciding to head back to the dorm, I came down with the ever-dreaded low blood sugar tremors. After a quick stop by the VC for a late night sandwich, I commenced with the walking. And realized I left my keys to the dorm on my desk, at the same time my cell phone died mid-conversation with my mother. Fortunately, fate is on my side today. Someone was going into the dorm the very moment I walked up.

Other fateful things today. The homework I did before class was the wrong assignment (tonight's), but I finished the real one a mere 15 minutes after class. I now have nothing due until Thursday, supposedly. Also, Ryan's house is amazing. Lovely. Small yet perfect. I can't wait until September now, because I am going to looove my last year at Western (last two quarters? Spain, I hope so!!)

That's about it, though. If I don't get completely stressed out and fall apart mid-quarter, I'll be surprised.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

No Pants Saturdays

Yesterday went by in a blur. I believe it was late Wednesday night I decided to call up a random stranger for a last-minute ride to Seattle. Friday morning I got up after about 5 hours of sleep to take a world record breaking Long Shower. It felt good, although I almost fell asleep a few times and only had maybe 45 minutes to get dressed, dry hair, and eat before class. I'd planned on giving myself 2 hours.

Maybe it's a little weird for other people to read about me and my hopeful friends, but oh well. There's this guy in my human geography and spanish classes, so we walk from one to the next together. After 2 quarters of this class with the same people, I'm finally making another friend besides Lauren.

But after Spanish I had to rush back to the dorm to pack, so I missed the first actual meeting of the Breakfast Lunch Club. Maybe Brunch Club would be easier, but then you miss the reference to the classic 80's movie that we're trying to imitate.

The whole ride to Bellevue was awkward. The girl I'd talked into giving me a ride fell asleep almost immediately, so I got to talk to her mom about swimming and working at the pool for two hours. Yeah... At one point while mentally going over how I'd get from Bellevue to Seattle, and what I'd do for four hours, I realized: William! That guy lives in Bellevue! (Turns out that he actually lives in Redmond now -- it's been so long since we've talked that I had no idea.) He picked me up and off we went to see Failure to Launch. And Elaina was right. That movie is hilarious! It's a chick flick, yes, but the supporting characters are what makes it memorable. Zooey what's-her-face plays an acoholic with a bird problem. ... Anyway. William and I had Pepsi and Pizza Rolls and some of his mom's homemade gingersnaps. We talked about his tendency to fall in love with girls after meeting them once and how his car is now a death trap.

Once I got to Seattle, there was one last Big Thing before I met up with the boy. While standing around looking for him, I saw Aaron Borth. Yes, Aaron! The big lanky kid I used to hang out with for days and days on end during junior high! I got a big ol' hug from him and waved good-bye, since neither of us had much time to actually talk.

And then there's the frat. RJ says "sure, it was a party," but only because there were a lot of girls around. I figure, if they make t-shirts for the event, it's a party. Which means that the entire last week has just been one long beer party. We ate steaks and chocolate chip cookie bars and drank free beer. We played caps and fooseball and sat around in a hugely overcrowded hottub before stuffing ourselves with ranch pizzas and holing up in the room for the rest of the night. And by holing up I mean passing out while RJ played video games.

Awesome Friday, no? This weekend was a great idea.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Feeling Fine

I stick loneliness
Your lips
And the two coins of your eyes
Into my pocket

"Big" things have been happening lately. The other night at Open Mic Night, I ran into Ryan. You know, that nice boy who lived across from me first quarter, who I'd donate plasma with and otherwise didn't know very well. He's got a house on Lakeway somewhere, and the rent is $250 a month. I haven't seen it yet, but I've talked it over with my mom. She's okay with my plan to move out. Now I'm all excited, hoping against hope that there's a bus stop right near the house, or that I'll come across a car over the summer. I want the house to be clean and sturdy, the bathroom not a Lebanese war-zone. Last night I was up for hours thinking about moving out, studying abroad, transfering schools, etc. Now one of them is an honest possibility that I can see clearly ahead of me. It's not just some vague half-wish, half-plan that I got into my head one night over a cup of coffee. Most of my future goals are coffee-plans. This one began in a coffee house, but I definitely only drank water that night.

If I move out, I'll need new things. A mattress and a bed frame, for one. Cleaning supplies. A dresser, more hangers. Bookshelves? I could always stack them around my room, but that's tacky. A desk. What else?? What else do people need to survive? More dishes, I guess. Cooking utensils, things like a can opener and tupperware. I'm sure most of this stuff I could recycle from home... Though I certainly don't want to same bed I've got at my house. It's half broken and creaks when I roll over.

I won't go into everything else on my mind. Transfering to UW is taking up most of my thoughts, plus what classes I'll need to take. I'm thinking about talking to an advisor while RJ's working this Friday.

Besides all that, I've been doing schoolwork. This is going to be a hard quarter, but I'm okay with it. I spend most of my day in the Underground Coffeehouse, camped out on a couch doing math and reading my heavy Middle Eastern politics book. I get through 5-10 pages and have to put it down to soak it in.. And I have two weeks to finish it. So it goes everywhere I go, and I take it out whenever I can.

Anyway. Rj's on the phone now, so I guess I'm done.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Carry On, Love is Coming

I've had water stuck in my left ear for the last hour. It started announcing its presence while I was walking through the parking lot -- I may have scared some motorists with my erratic sideways head-banging. Here it is, 5:15, and no matter how I swing my head or how many Q-tips I use, it's still there. This is one of life's lessons: the smallest annoyance will become expontentially worse for every minute you can't get rid of it.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Damn it feels good to be a gansta

Earlier tonight, I viciously ended a lovely phone conversation in hopes of getting some sleep before getting up at 7 am. Turns out that was a bad idea since here it is, 2:30 am, and I'm still wide awake and kicking. I was planning on writing about this weekend later this afternoon, but now seems as good a time as any.

The boy and I decided, early last week, to rekindle our old flames and go on a random adventure. Seeing as it's still below 70 at night, our best bet for fun and laughs would be some obscure show in Seattle. He pulled out his trusty Seattle Weekly, and while I played Animal Crossing in my bed, he described all the possible events during our chosen timeslot. It took many repeats, a few lamentations over impossibly fantastic shows going on while I'd be back in Bellingham, and several enthusiastic exclamations for ridiculously unimportant events. Eventually we settled on some band called the Super Geek League, a 40-man band that provides its own refreshments. We were intrigued.

Friday came along. I'd been working 10 hours previously, was functioning on 5 hours of sleep, but was determined to make it through the night. Our destination was a little-known joint known as The Paradox (not to be confused with the Paramount, a mistake that I was ridiculed for.) This location popped out of nowhere along the roadside, was completely unremarkable, but the inside was perfection. RJ was merely impressed by the seperation of the cafe/sitting area and the concert room. I not only worshipped the booths and tall round tables with stools (yes, my foot is still bothering me), but decided that I, too, would someday cover my walls in velvet curtains.

The opening bands aren't worth mentioning much. Though the first sang multiple times about pumpkins, and after a few sets a man in a chicken suit wearing a blue wig and WWII gas mask came running into the crowd. His dancing was ridiculous, with flailing arms and jumping and rolling around. He worshipped the pumpkin on stage, stole it and ran around the room with it held high in the air while other spectators chased him. For a few moments a goth girl had him by the ankle and slung him recklessly around on the floor.

Then came The Super Geek League. There was too much to accurately remember. The trendy girl I was jealous of turned out to be a Naughty School Girl who stripped onstage and danced through an entire set, while the Robot Bunny with visible gentalia ran around poking people in the crowd. The first song featured a gorilla on a trampoline throwing bananas into the crowd. We were hesitant at first, until the lead singer assured us, "Don't be afraid to eat the bananas!" along with a reminder that potassium is healthy. The moment I noticed the banana flung at my feet, someone grabbed it and ran away. I was sad for a whole ten seconds, before I saw what was going on around me again.

Other acts included Captain Plastic, who wrapped the crowd in saran wrap, the people with balloons for heads who were trying to hide in the crowd, but were mercilessly pulled onstage and executed (it's impossible to tell you the feeling of surprise, incredulity and amusement as the first man was held down, despite his struggling, then the sudden BANG! and he goes limp, his head gone.) There was a vicious water fight, the target of the crowd's agression being a girl in a vintage 1920's bathing suit and cap, who valiantly threw any balloon that failed to pop. Immediately after there was a huge pillow fight, including the use of stuffed animals that had been soaked in water during the water fight. A moose head was flung in our direction - RJ might've kept it if he hadn't shoved it in my face, which prompted me to throw it back into the crowd. Something about wet moose cotton in my face just doesn't encourage my feelings of sentimentality. A fat cannibal pushed a shopping cart loaded with free pizza around the room -- one of the severed heads on the tray actually turned out to be a crazy lady hidden inside the cart, though her antics never hindered anyone from obtaining a slice. As a warning to all those who drink the school milk, some crazy hormone-infected man came out and poured milk all over himself while his henchmen ran about with squirt guns loaded with milk.

The final act was the most inspirational. They'd rigged a leaf blower into a toilet paper launcher - whole rolls of t.p. were dispersed in moments, flung far across the crowd in an arc of white ribbon.

After an incredible show like that, there wasn't much else we could do with our night. We were back in Fedtown by midnight, and by 1 am I was catching snatches of sleep off the questionably clean tabletops at Shari's. Paying for dinner was a fiasco that will leave me under the power of an ungodly effective guilt trip for months to come. My sleep that night was one of the best ones in history.