Remember the Alamo

why we delayed our flights, pt. 1

2011-11-18T08:47:00.005-07:00

In less than nine hours, our motley band of orphan kids will again take to the stage, after having used the Night Market stage as their only dress rehearsal. This time, it will be in front of the world authority on Khmer dance: The Princess. As in, Her Royal Highness Samdech Reach Botrei Preah Ream Norodom Buppha Devi.

Heaven help us.

xoxo

for real

2011-11-15T02:42:00.011-07:00

At one point, our flights home were set for 19 October. And then 15 November, to leave in seven hours, no joke. Three hours ago, we jetted over to the downtown office of Korean Air to fix that and finalize delaying our departure until mid-December.

I stole some squares of their pink toilet paper out of rebellion.

Oh, and a magazine; one about corruption.

Also, I'm holding off on posting more photos of us so that you can forget what we look like, and then be horrified when we return and our faces remind you that you are not, in fact, friends with or related to exotic world travelers who delight in experiencing the bizarre, but are, instead, friends with or related to the same old, same old Todd and Amy, who live in a cupboard in Springville.

...who use commas like they were burning holes in their pockets.

Yeah, that pair.

[Who locked into their engagement one solid year ago, I might add.]

[Sheesh, stop talking, Amy.]

xoxo

delay

2011-11-08T02:52:00.005-07:00

We were supposed to board an airplane in 7 days. That's not going to happen anymore, but it'll probably be in about a month.
I can't wait to spend time with my families, my people; I want to spend time with my families. And my people.

Hug each other for me since you're all so much closer to each other than I am.
I love you all.

xo

P.S. Look at the snake I caught in a cave. [I almost wrote cake there.] It was gentle and beautiful, but I didn't touch it because the shape of the head and pupil hinted that it might kill me.

oltvoglfbw

2011-10-13T10:47:00.001-06:00

I have a dream cat.

xoxo

at the zoo! pt. 2

2011-09-08T07:47:00.016-06:00

Continuing with the topic of the previous post, this blip will inform the audience of other wonders seen at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre. And without further ado, to the sun bears!

It was lovely to see so many different bears, but I was so enrapt with all of them that I didn't photograph very many. This was one that looked me dead in the eyes and then winked. I swear. But I'm not going to tell you what message was transmitted telepathically; you're going to have to look your own sun bear in the eyes someday. Anyway, there was a really dopey looking one that got scolded by another, but for the most part, they were all relaxing in the shade.

After the adventure with all the bears, we walked past some Southern Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis maritimus). Fierce. I would share a photo here, but you would be too terrified of all the terror in the male Serow's eyes that you would crawl under your seat. He was not pleased with having so many people checking out his lady. He huffed and puffed, and I quietly walked away.

This python was as thick as my torso. There were five of them. The kids were all kinds of fascinated and terrified and placed bets on who the snakes would go after first. This was the exhibit that garnered the most reverent children, staring at the creatures for much longer than all the other look-and-walk exhibits.

There was a huge spider on the sign for the pythons, and I was immediately called over to photograph it. The kids learn quickly, so they all know that I like insects and spiders. Throughout the day, the two phrases I heard the most were "Amy! Spider!" and "Amy! Walk!" This is how I know I am a Nelson. Thank you, Riley. [Todd and I easily could have spent several more hours, if not days, at this zoo. We will be going back frequently enough that if you make the voyage to these parts, we'll gladly take you too.]

This is Todd. He's drinking a Bird's Nest. What's that, you ask? According to the rest of the English on the can, it's flavor is "White Fungus". This is what curiosity does. It compels you to drink sugary, mushroom liquid. It wasn't too pleasant, really.

Gratuitous baby monkey. This one goes out to my mom.

One of my favorite creatures was a minorly ignored one: the Civets. This is an unflattering photo of one, but my, my, would I love to cuddle with one. It uses that wobbly little nose to sniff the devil out of anything and everything, including one's fingers and face and whathaveyou. It looked like a mix between a raccoon and a cat. Naturally, I pet it.

That was the main place I heard "Amy! Walk!"

Next up, this little beauty.

She was missing her right leg, but was still a million times more agile than any of us.
I liked seeing how some of the animals that were missing a limb or eye had adapted to their surroundings. There was a sun bear that was missing his left paw, and didn't seem to think anything of it. The baby elephant had a prosthetic front left leg. Easy, no problem.

We ate lunch as a mass, and slept as a mass. After their rests, Rothana, Chamroeun II, and Pheaktra came over to discuss the finer points of life. They asked all sorts of questions regarding American politics, religion, and war. They wanted to know more about what we thought of the Khmer/Thai border debate. They asked about Libya (Libye) and the Middle East and Bin Laden (Beenlada). It took us awhile to figure out what "Badaobama" was.

Srey Meas kicking back in a hammock.

Paly and his sister Seang Mai striking a pose. Do you understand why we thought we had landed on a different planet? Most of the kids looked like they were straight from Back to the Future, but the part when they actually go to the future, and it looks... awesome. I love these kids.

After lunch and nap time, more beasts.

Until then, goodnight!

xoxo

Editor's Note: Todd reminded me that I left out the most critical and time-consuming topic of discussion from our sit down with Chamroeun and Rothana. Chamroeun seemingly asked about "grandfarmers". Even with Todd trying to understand in Khmer, we could not figure out what grandfarmers were. According to Chamroeun, it's a movie about robots from space that fight with each other on Earth. Ah. Transformers. Once that clicked, Todd spent the next ten minutes trying to convince the boys that Transformers are not real. They genuinely insisted that they actually exist. This led to an in-depth explanation of animation and movie magic. At the end, Rothana said in Khmer, "ooh, America is so good at fooling people!"

at the zoo! pt. 1

2011-09-07T05:29:00.010-06:00

Today we went to the zoo! Actually, it's officially called the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, and it's gorgeous. It's a seemingly limitless piece of land that gives many of the animals ample room to wander and explore. This also means that 28+ kids and half as many adults got to tromp around just as much!

Long story short, it was wonderful.

We woke up early and scurried to get ready. Outside our windows, we could hear the busy little sounds of all the kids getting ready too. We could tell they were excited, just by sound... and then... we left our room. We were greeted by aliens. Or so it seemed. Todd and I were surprised to see all the kids dressed to the nines, street clothes and spiky hair, fancy sundresses with hipster belts tight at the waist. It felt like we were already in a different world. A 17-and-under world of fashion. Half the girls had pigtails like me. They were far more adorable. We loaded up the bus and were on our way.

The bus ride was filled with Khmer karaoke, and the kids sang along to most of the songs. Super cute.

We arrived and sorted out what lunch would be in a few hours, and then hopped to it! These were the first set of eyes that met mine:

Ketupa zeylonensis. Brown fish owl. There were over a dozen of them. Beautiful birds, and amply appropriate. We saw so. many. birds! I didn't even get the names of all of them, I'm sorry Andrea! But some of the others were Greater Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga) and Black Kites (Milvus migrans), Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (Treron bicincta), White-vented Myna (Acridotheres javanicus), Grey-headed Fish Eagles (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus), which would yelp loudly! They startled me!

And housed with all the other birds...

The placard said the following:
Large Flying-fox Pteropus vampyrus
Habitat: Tall trees
Diet: Ripe fruit
Reproduction: 1 young born in March of April
Interesting Facts: Migrates to breed during cold season, and returns to roost on the same tree branch. Helps to pollinate fruit trees. Contrary to misconception, the flying fox is a mammal, not a bird. Threatened by restaurant trade.

I love bats.

Oh, but there were so many more birds! So many! I can't even load all the photos! But look at these gorgeous little littles:

First one to tell me what those puppies are wins a prize!

And then there was yelling. And yelping. And screeching. And whooping. [Emphasis on the whooping.] Because...

...and about nine other kinds of monkeys were being ridiculous. There were peach ones, black ones, black ones with white tufts, white ones with black bellies, native wild ones, monkeys with mohawks, monkeys with monk crowns, and more. One was naughty and yanked on Todd's shirt through the fence really hard. We were all up in each others' grills.

Yes, we touched some of our primate cousins. That's Darynhel shaking hands/feet with one lovely girl who then FREAKED OUT and made the most terrifying sounds... kind of like those aliens on Sesame Street, but 10x fast. That made her baby came over and they cuddled while she continued to sing her banshee song. That's when I noticed her cataract. She was amazing.

And thus ends the first installment at the zoo. Next up: Lions. Tigers. And Sun Bears.

Oh my!

xoxo

sweethearts, twerps, and hellions

2011-09-02T23:50:00.006-06:00

Meet my friends:

These are my little twerps. Mind if I introduce them?

Seang Mai: She is a spunky, lovey 16 year old. Paly and Kuma are her younger brothers. She's often singing while she does her chores. She tells me she loves me and blows kisses at me at least 15 times a day. She's kind of a mother-figure to the other kids, and sets them straight when they're being naughty.
Kunithea: She's 15 years old, and is very funny, but tends be to quieter. She writes elaborate stories, and illustrates them. She drew the picture of us found in the 18 August 2011 post here. Her little brother is Jame.
Srey Meas: Total sweetheart. She's 15 and has the sweetest smile. She is really affectionate and if I'm anywhere near her, gives me subtle Khmer kisses on the shoulder. [These are with the nose: you nuzzle someone and sniff in slightly. Adorable.]
Srey Vouch: She's one sharp little girl. She wants to be a doctor, and studies very hard. She is 13 years old. Her little brother is Line.
Srey Leak: 11 years old. She's loud and silly. She's a momma's girl, and is really optimistic about life. She smiles a lot, and is over-the-top goofy. She's best friends with Srey Vouch.
Ra: He's 17 years old. He doesn't waste words. He tries really hard in English and pays close attention. He laughs easily.
Rothana: Golden boy. He's 14, and is a phenomenal singer. He is usually featured, front and center, in the performances because he's really smart and learns very quickly. Sometimes the pressure of being a performer gets to him, since he's such a perfectionist. Off stage, he cracks jokes in English and Khmer, and is very happy.
Paly: Sweetheart. When we first got here, he didn't talk to me much, and I figured he was just a punk teenager [he's 13] and was too cool to talk to me. Wrong. He's one of my closest buddies now, and one of our inside jokes is pointing at something, [a light post, a person, a bike, the dog...] and then nonchalantly calling it "gangster". It gets me every time.
Vantha: He's 14 years old. He's more reserved, but when he talks, it counts. He recently asked if Smiit and I have gotten married yet, because he thought we were just boyfriend and girlfriend. He didn't believe us until we showed him pictures.
Butha: 15 years old. Funny kid, and a great actor. Some of his performances are the most hilarious.
Chamroeun I: This kid is ... rad. He's 11, and a bit shy, but only at first. I often see him drawing dresses off in a corner. His little sister is Soknan. He was riding a bike around the yard the other day in just a large T-shirt. I asked him where his pants were, and he just laughed at me and said that his shirt was long enough, "no problem."
Chamroeun II: Ringleader. 16 years old. He's one of the two real leaders of the boys [the other one being Rothana]. He's an amazing dancer, and while performing, some of the other kids can be caught looking to him for direction. He's very strong, but is hilarious too.
Chanda: 11 years old. He is really funny, but a naughty kind of funny. He's mischievous, but really affectionate too. He can be a real twerp.
Seng: Oh, man. This kid is one of my favorites. He is such a geek. He is a master of faces, and can look very serious one second and burst out laughing the next. He always checks in on me by saying my name through the window. He's really curious, and asks me questions about everything, and always wants extra help learning English. He always puts an arm around me and says awesome things.
Darynhel: [It's pronounced Daniel.] He's 10 years old. Definitely one of the cutest smiles around here. He's tender, and when I had a kidney infection, he'd scold the others if they weren't being soft enough with me [Seng did this too.] He loves the cat, and brings him to me frequently.
Kuma: Ultimate twerp. Sassy little 10 year old. He's funny, but sometimes he's naughty too, but all in good fun. He's Seang Mai and Paly's little brother.
Line: He's buddies with Kuma and acts accordingly. He's fun, but mischievous too. He's Srey Vouch's little brother, and is 9 years old.
Pheaktra: 13 years old. He was my little buddy the first couple weeks we were here, and would teach me Khmer and help me understand things. He has since gotten more shy, but is still a friendly boy. He's a bit awkward, which is probably why we get along so well.
Jonathan: [Also goes by Davin]. He's Darynhel's little brother, but is much more of a hellion. He's 8 years old and runs around with the other hellions. He can be pretty cute too.
Chham: Rad kid. He's 9 years old, and is friends with the hellions, but he's not one of them. He's prone to break out into acrobatics whenever, wherever. Out of nowhere, he'll just do a back flip. He's a total comedian, too.
Chantha: SASSY. 11 years old and has an attitude with some of the others, but she's always sweet to me. Sometimes when the other kids are being punks, she'll act like "Oh no you di-in't", with her hand on her hip. She's very tender sometimes, too.
Soknan: ...hellion. She can be a cutie, but is most often trying to be a bratty queen-bee. She's 9 and is Chamroeun I's little sister. She used to be my shadow. She often punches my kidneys, which was a major problem when I was sick. [Which is why a couple of the others stepped up to the plate and told her off for being rough. After she learned I was sick, she'd very sweetly touch my side and ask "hurt?" and then touch my tummy and ask "sick?" and then would be very gentle with me.]
Sarim: Darling little girl. She is incredibly quiet and affectionate. Very soft spoken. She looks like she is about 8 or 9 years old, but I learned today that she's 13. That blew my mind. She smiles when she sees me, and gives me tight little hugs, and tucks her head under my arm.
Lyny: Littlest little little. She is a very proper little 7 year old. She's polite, but cracks sneaky little jokes. I never understand the punchline because she melts into a tiny puddle of giggles.
Sokny: 10 years old. Space. Cadet. She is not on this planet. Sometimes she's really cute, and the next second her eyes will dreamily glaze over. She says the most bizarre things, mostly in Khmer, but sometimes in English.
David: He's 8 years old, and runs with the hellions, but when he's on his own, he's quiet, caring, and a bit reserved. He's tight with Hellion Numero Uno [Jame], but plays by himself too.
Jame: Hellion Numero Uno. You can tell he needs attention, but he's got waaaay too much energy. He can be happy and friendly, but mostly NAUGHTY. He's a funny little twerp though.
Samneng: Cutest little button. He is 7 years old, and he and Lyny are tied for being the smallest little urchins. He also runs with the other hellions, but he's never really naughty. He pays close attention in English, even if it's just to copy down letters and numbers at random.

...and that rounds off the list of my buddies on this side of the globe.

Over and out.

xoxo

in the meantime

2011-09-02T02:36:00.000-06:00

Please enjoy: Yvonne, the Runaway

downpour

2011-07-30T17:59:00.002-06:00

I haz one. I thought my shower was just loud, but no, this is the first torrential downpour. Todd went jogging before it started. He'll be soaked. No biggie; everyone's buzzing around as if life is normal.

xoxo

first day in Cambodia

2011-07-30T16:10:00.003-06:00

Cambodia. I'm stuck trying to figure out words for this place. It's lovely. The sky has been a pillowy gray so far since it's the start of the monsoon season. I was warned of torrential downpours but haven't seen any yet. I did see an elephant though. I was surprised because I was actually looking out for monkeys in a park, but then, bam. Elephant.

We got here late Thursday night and tried to dock at the orphanage where we're staying, but everyone was already asleep so we stayed at a little place called Golden Gate Hotel. It was one of the nicest little hotel rooms I've stayed in for less than $20. If you come visit us, you might want to stay here.

We hopped out of bed at 6 AM, mostly because Adam came banging on our door to see if we were awake, but that's the general time to wake up in these parts. It feels good to wake up without alarms and you're up with the sun. We loaded up all the equipment and luggage and set out in search of breakfast. Our friend Peakadae [sounds like Pe-ack-a-day. Haven't seen him smoke yet] drove us to this faaaaancy little place where we were seated under large canvas umbrellas, which were set up to protect us from all of the gently falling jasmine flowers. The restaurant was really elegant like that. We ate nom min chok [I think] which is a pile of rice with thin cuts of seasoned pork, and some herbs on the side. Probably some limes too. For dessert, they brought out a plate of fruit: papaya, pineapple, dragon fruit, watermelon, and a flower. Very pretty.

Then to the orphanage! We got there and rang the bell at the gate and had a cloud of excited kids run let us in and greet us. They are all so great. So so great. Adorable, sharp, disciplined, silly, hilarious, and confident. Many hugs and arms and faces smashed into us. Many of the kids were at school, so this was just a small clutch of them. We got all of our stuff put into our rooms and had fun meeting all the kids. Throughout the day, another wave of them would come home, wearing their little school uniforms. Everyone greets each other with "Chhom riep souh" and hands pressed together. Most of the kids speak cute little snippets of English when they meet you, and my favorite thing to hear is "fine, thank you" They're all very polite, and affectionate! Adorable. When the girls got home from school, they all pulled in close around me, and inspected my manicure, asked me all sorts of questions in english and khmer. They scurried off to their next class [they have a very structured schedule around here, and all the kids are obedient] and we went to run some errands.

We set out for central Phnom Penh to pick up odds and ends, get some money, and get all our ducks in a row. This included getting SIM cards, shampoo, checking out transportation options, setting up a bank account, and other little things. We got lunch at Boat Noodle [there are two Boat Noodles in the city, and they're competitors. They each have a sign in their restaurant claiming that they're the original, and better of the two. We went to the Boat Noodle that is actually the better one.] It was delicious and we got way too much food.

More later. Everyone is starting to wake up. xoxo

changes

2011-07-22T00:52:00.003-06:00

Thus begins the Great Cambodian Excursion.

If this is the first you've heard of this, you're only barely behind the times.
If this site is your number one source for news, it's a pity; you will always be the last to know.

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat.
That's the way it is.

Now all I need is Tupac.

nighttime

2011-06-10T20:57:00.005-06:00

I will commence this yearly post with a sound byte, captured a few nights ago. Todd had fallen asleep around 9:30 PM, and as hard as I tried, I couldn't do the same. I stayed up for a few more hours and a few times during the night, Todd spoke. He made a whirring or buzzing sound for about 45 seconds, and then started talking.

This was the tail-end of his ramblings:

out of context

2010-06-10T15:31:00.002-06:00

ALN: "Did you just call me 'gymnast'?"
CDB: "You know, now that I think of it... yeah. Why is Jake [Gyllenhaal] still in the clouds with you?"

mustachio'd

2010-04-08T02:55:00.004-06:00

If you have a feeling like I stayed up until three perfecting my mustache, you might be right.

P.S. Please don't judge. And if you're going to, don't click to enlarge the photo.

ouch

2010-04-01T15:41:00.009-06:00

When I was a little bitty girl, I was the kid in the family that was never afraid of creepy crawlies and slithery things. This distinction made me the default assistant for when my dad needed to photograph the various creatures that he had captured or needed to document. On most occasions these animals were insects, but on very special occasions, they were reptilian. My dad and I would carefully pose the animal, whether it was a lizard, a gecko, or a snake.

With snakes, you had to be extra quick because they ran the risk of slithering out of a pose faster than their pedestrian friends. To ensure a good photo would come from the shoot, we'd have to take many shots. Between each one, I would have to reach down and shield the snake with my hands in order to intimidate it into staying frozen. Most of the time, the subject of the photo would comply and shrink away from my hands and closer to the ground.

The other day, however, this was not the case. As we photographed this particular snake, she had the spine to snap up and defend herself. Before I knew it, there was blood slipping down my arm from a couple little puncture wounds. My dad saw the cuts and asked if I was okay, while calmly reassuring me that this snake wasn't poisonous in the least bit. I, on the other hand, went completely white as I just stared at the little marks like a deer in the headlights. After I realized that it didn't really hurt, I got cleaned up and we finished the shoot.

...check that off the list of Things to do Before I Die, right?

+ [Check the date stamp, lovers. Poisson d'Avril. XOXO]

out of context

2010-03-20T20:09:00.002-06:00

Nate: but it still sees teeth
it turns a blindthird eye to eveything but teeth

1st & 3rd

2010-01-29T00:51:00.002-07:00

I found Jesus on First and Third.

Honestly?

tangles

2010-01-25T01:39:00.003-07:00

How does this happen?!

In one little load of laundry, eleven pieces of clothing got wrapped up in an abysmal tangle that took me at least three minutes to unravel.

Woven between everything was one little pair of underwear. There was even a veritable knot in one sleeve.

Seriously.

hammer time

2010-01-23T15:37:00.003-07:00

I began fully excavating my room about a week or two ago, and in doing so, I realized that I didn't know where my favorite hammer was hiding. The search started out pretty lightly, keeping an eye out for it while I was organizing things, double-checking boxes and drawers for the hammer. after a couple days, I grew more concerned. I asked my mom if she had seen it, and she had but not within the last seven years. [This hammer and I have a history.] I continued looking for my hammer, to no avail.
I began reminiscing about hanging canvases, photos, and mirrors, or using the screwdrivers housed within the handle to fix my sewing machine, friends' bed frames, and tightening doorknobs and drawer handles. Things turned a little more frantic as I realized that every knob and handle were in need of repair, and I couldn't help them because my trusty hammer was M.I.A.
It then dawned on me that I had recently had a conversation detailing how much I loved this particular hammer, but that I would let this person use it temporarily. I remember handing it to them with raised eyebrows to emphasize the seriousness of this transaction, but the face I was looking into was foggy and the circumstances beyond this glint of a memory were unclear.
So I contacted a few friends that might have unknowingly kidnapped the little tool. "Did I lend you a hammer recently? Like within the last four months, and I told you that it was my favorite hammer?" I got a scoff from one. A sympathetic note from another. One responded slightly amused, but understood the grave situation. Two didn't respond. Needless to say, my suspicion grew.
In the meantime, I thoroughly combed through the house. I looked in the usual haunts: purses, tool boxes, sewing kits, bathroom cabinets, kitchen counters, fish tanks, fireplaces, and under beds, couches, dressers, and each of our cars. Nothing.
I looked in more boxes, sacks, and closets. Nothing.
I looked in even more obscure places. Nothing.
Defeated, I considered who might have stolen it. The list was short. But I had this itching suspicion that it was nestled somewhere in a foreign drawer or tool box. I made a couple calls, sent a few more texts, and even drove to my studio to search through the supplies over there. I got a couple hopeful replies. Tyler even said that he vaguely remembered discussing a hammer, but had no further details.
Then I called my sister. I hadn't said anything to her before, even though the thought kept grazing my mind. She felt sorry for me, and we mourned a little together, but she added hopefully that she usually calls me for help when she's lost something, and it almost always turns up within a day or two. I agreed, but lowered my eyes thinking about where it could be. [My mind quickly flashed to strangers hammering their walls, criminals removing license plates with it, or fish picking at its remains at the bottom of a lake.]
But then.
In a new bag pulled from storage holding hangers, I saw the scuffed up, golden handle resting quietly inside. I didn't believe it. Seriously. I honestly thought that this was one of the countless times that this mirage had appeared while I was searching.
"You've got to be kidding me," I said to Andrea, who was still on the phone.
"What?"
"I just found my hammer."

[Inserts coos of affection.]

xoxo

love story/bad romance

2009-12-15T03:27:00.002-07:00

It's a funny little thing eschewing sleep. Feast or famine these days. Sure, it's kind of killing me, but I kind of love it too, you know? I end up finding myself listening to unhealthy musical selections, reading silly little vignettes, fancy fashions and comics, browsing through lovely articles, fact-checking [Read: Wikipedia] everything, and getting über giddy about things like this and this and this and this and this. Oh, and my heavens, don't forget this one. It kills me.

Don't even get me started on my RSS files labeled Awful and Unbearably Awesome. And anything having to do with cats, really. It gets bad.

And it doesn't help that I ate seaweed and other assorted who-knows-whats burning the pathway from my lips to my small intestine, and then immediately regretting said decision. (But totally keeping my cool. Mostly. 3+.) And that was at normal, fully-functional, oxygen-breathing civilian hours of operation.

Back to the coal mine.

That didn't make any sense. Doesn't matter. Just watch this.

2009-11-17T19:33:00.001-07:00

"I wanted to kiss you!" "Just don't make me throw up."

2009-09-16T07:57:00.001-06:00

"I don't know about you." Thanks, Mom.

2009-07-14T19:43:00.001-06:00

"I can bug you-- you're a tiger."

before and after

2009-07-02T16:49:00.002-06:00

same person, just two decades taller.

...and dweebier.

great

2009-04-19T17:10:00.000-06:00

"You are retarded. I love you. You're so funny."

--Mom

privacy

2009-04-11T17:25:00.002-06:00

I just remembered my dream from last night.

Caitie and I were looking for a new apartment, and we checked this one out that had a lovely kitchen and a fairly spacious living room. The bedrooms were decent and the bathroom was also nice. There were about five groups of people milling about, and the air was tense with competition. Caitie and I looked at one another and were going to talk to the landlord in order to be first in line for application. And then I realized that I hadn't seen a toilet anywhere. I checked the bathroom again. No toilet. Sure, there was a shower and a sink, and even a large space that could accommodate a commode, but no toilet. It wasn't until the various potential occupants shifted around in the apartment that I saw the furniture in the living room: one couch, a love seat, an arm chair, some nice-looking end tables, and a toilet. Right by the door. I showed Caitie and we discussed how concerning this was. Even though we were bothered by having the toilet in the living room, what with absolutely no privacy for our guests [should we ever have any], we still counted this place our best option. We actually considered it. The deal-breaker, however, was not the awful placement of the toilet, but the fact that the toilet paper roll was located right next to the sink, two rooms away.

wild

2009-03-25T17:23:00.001-06:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

little

2009-03-04T04:08:00.002-07:00

you tell me a memory, a story, ..., i'll make you something.
include your address, but discreetly.

one per customer. must comment before my birthday to get it.

get it?

found in nature

2009-03-02T20:42:00.001-07:00

this is real.

so is this.

yesterday

2009-01-16T14:37:00.003-07:00

I saw him eying me from afar. Across Savers. He was leaning against a clothes rack with his hands in the pockets of his pleated pants, one foot resting on top of the other. I crossed carefully behind the books, but his gaze continued. Just as I was almost to the door:

"You play volleyball, don't you?"
[Looking around] "Uh, me?"
"Yeah, you play volleyball, right?" [Him, throwing a sassy $10.00 smile.]
"Mmm, no."
"Ah, but you're so tall! You really should. And you're so..."
[Cutting him off before he could attempt to finish that sentence]
"I used to, but--"
"You shouldn't waste your height like that. You're beautiful."
"...thanks." [Shuffling off quickly, to avoid hearing the rest of his flattery.]

Umm?

bedfellows, pt. II

2009-01-11T03:00:00.004-07:00

The other two came to visit today. Both were creeps and kneaded the bed to death.

Each time, my little terror came to reclaim her throne.

bedfellows

2009-01-06T01:37:00.006-07:00

all the cats change personalities when they get here.

and the other two nearly showed their pretty faces.

yes, Andrea, even Ghost.

thank you

2008-12-19T11:36:00.003-07:00

Once in awhile, we receive delightful bits of post here at the anthropology department. Today, this envelope came in, shuffled amongst the catalogs and campus mail:

And Evie thought I should be the one to open it. Neither of us had noticed anything strange about the envelope. I tore the back and pulled out this slight strip of paper, folded in half.

...And then three young men walked in with matching tuxedos. Their bow ties were cornflower blue.

xoxo

808s & heartbreak

2008-12-15T05:50:00.002-07:00

Kanye: pared down, yet beefed up. Dizzying.

I'm trash at studying academic topics.

classic

2008-11-27T23:19:00.003-07:00

The mournful Daisy Mae had just been thwacked with an inflatable bat, and as a last-ditch attempt to get any of our pity, she tearfully stopped at the top of the stairs, clutching fistfuls of tiny plastic snakes. As she shook the little serpents, making them quiver between her fingers, she dramatically pouted "and nobody will play snakes with me."

I lost it. And I choked on a mouthful of carrots trying to hide my laughter from this tiny girl.

Thanksgiving day was delightful. I love my family and the nonsense embedded in us.

I also love just about everyone around me. You're all top notch. Except you: you know who you are. Just kidding. You might not know who you are. Kidding again. Okay, nevermind. (The red squiggly line under Nevermind wants me to replace it with Nevermore, Verminous, Mastermind, and Undermined. Seriously... verminous?)

But really, I don't tell people often enough how much I love them. Ask me if I love you sometime. I dare you to.

I'd really like that.

xoxo

hecto-lame

2008-10-24T16:11:00.006-06:00

I halted posting to save my one hundredth post for something really rad. Instead, I give you these links to other rad websites to provide you with one hundred hours* of delight. but first, a staggering statistic: 2.55 percent of lovely zombies fail to vote in local elections.

I'm lightheaded. This makes me dizzy.

but I feel phenomenal.

*(I can only reimburse you for 100 hours, as anything past that would be wasteful.)

ghosts

2008-10-21T16:57:00.002-06:00

Skeletons from my many closets: coming around just in time for the spooky season.

Thanks, guys.

w00t

2008-07-31T10:06:00.000-06:00

I just geeked out when teh count on my inbox hit 1337.

karma

2008-07-28T22:48:00.003-06:00

This morning, I crossed the path of a snail. I could see where she was headed, and she still had a long way to go until she was out of harm's way. I stooped to pick her up and hurry her along. Good thing I did: seconds later, a bird went potty. If I hadn't taken the millisecond to move that snail, I would have gotten crapped on.

I lost my wallet. To find it, I retraced my steps. I almost ran over a snail with my bike tire. Luckily, I saw him in time, and carefully placed him in a safer location.

I returned home, having had no luck finding my wallet. But then, Lo! It had fallen out in the most perfect of places: my bedroom floor.

the girls

2008-06-02T13:40:00.000-06:00

research

2008-05-12T10:20:00.002-06:00

guys, this is it.

bad.

2008-05-09T19:14:00.002-06:00

Post office - stamps ≤ me - $$$. Me + stamps = happy geek.

geyser

2008-04-20T01:05:00.002-06:00

I just made my roommate laugh while she was gargling with mouthwash.

excuse me?

2008-04-16T13:35:00.002-06:00

One: Who put the Village People's quintessential classic YMCA on my computer?

Two: ... Why didn't I feel compelled to skip it when it came ringing through my speakers?

Three: ...really. And I think I enjoyed it.

man twin amy

2008-03-27T21:14:00.002-06:00

"I look at her every night before bed. I know what she looks like! Just take away the mustache and make him a girl! It's Amy." - Hillery, comparing Amy to "Nick from the Headlights"

clandestine bodies of water

2008-03-20T14:20:00.001-06:00

How do you hide an entire ocean?

Jeez!

Thanks, Caitie.

looks

2008-03-11T14:18:00.002-06:00

You know you're doing really well when you come out of your room and your buddy looks up, sees your outfit, knowing full well that you didn't have time to shower, so you're wearing that one beret, smirks and says "hhh-yeah..."

Really.

And then, here's the really weird part: some nice young lady comes into your office and as she's about to leave, shyly says that she likes how you did your hair. "It looks really good today."

class notes

2008-03-06T16:43:00.002-07:00

Taken on 3 March 2008.

evolute

2008-03-06T12:07:00.001-07:00

For some background information regarding cart whispering, please check this out.

busted

2008-03-05T15:40:00.003-07:00

I just got reprimanded (I think?) for having too many [lengthy] social calls in the office.

Quaint.

lovely animals

2008-02-22T13:50:00.002-07:00

I love this escape.

And when I was little, I had an obsession with these. I was fascinated by them, as well as highly concerned for their well-being, as they were endangered and on the brink of extinction, perhaps. I even prayed for their survival. So, when we went to the wildernesses in which they lived, I crossed my fingers and toes that I'd see them haunting the forests around us.
I did.

...valentine?

2008-02-14T15:19:00.002-07:00

I do believe I'm cutting a tooth.

Sheesh!

Pre-Valentine.

2008-02-13T14:48:00.012-07:00

She did this on her own.

We share the same birthday.

Fashion at its finest: Live Furs.

Lover.

survival of the fittest

2008-02-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you wear cowboy boots, someone will say Howdy. And maybe even nod his head at you.

And you also might (almost) get hit while crossing the street by one of your best friends' mothers yelling "hello-oo-o Amy!" out the window.

My, oh my.

Happy birthday, giants! I mean, Gentlemen.

They may as well have been twins...

...and no wonder I like facial hair.

Are you with me?

from another moon or galaxy

2008-01-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, kids. This blew my mind, and I think I should provide the opportunity for you to experience a similar feeling.

boring

2008-01-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word.

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your work? Robot
3. Your hair? There
4. Your mother? Hello
5. Your father? Plaid
6. Your favorite thing? Hands
7. Your dream last night? Awkward
8. Your favorite drink? J-U-I-C-E
9. Your dream/goal? Fly
10. The room you're in? Neighbor's
11. Your ex? Him?
12. Your fear? Teeth
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Space
14. Where were you last night? Town
15. What you're not? Asian
16. What you are? Late
17. Muffin? Crickets
18. Where you grew up? Islands
19. The last thing you did? Asked
20. What are you wearing? Flannel
21. Your TV? Silent
22. Your pets? Aquatic
23. Your computer? Nonexistant
24. Your life? Here
25. Your mood? Gone
26. Missing someone? Ridiculously
27. Your car? Phat
28. Something you're not wearing? Glue
29. Favorite Store? Nature
30. Your summer? Social
31. Like someone? Sometimes
32. Your favorite color? Planet
33. When is the last time you laughed? Seconds
34. Last time you cried? Ago
35. Who will/would re-post this? None

quote

2008-01-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

"I've never been inside my brain."

-Miniature visitor of the Anthropology Department

smart kids!

2008-01-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Nice work, China!

You too, copycat!

real life

2008-01-14T20:13:00.000-07:00

I rely on walls.

heather?

2008-01-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

"Look! I made swear word stuff!"

Quote!

2008-01-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

"Oddly enough, pythons seem to draw the line at Cambodian boys."

Thanks, National Geographic.

requested

2007-12-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

me: it's just kind of like "hi, listen to me, because i'm great, happy and thoughtful, but don't get too comfortable because i'm going to smack you in the face, so listen up : i've got a lot to tell you... like this?: i like coffee and i like tea, but there are tough things that hit, and you'll get all apathetic, that's right. but really, it's all simple, and you realize that you're just a little piece of a bigger thing. (which is a relief, if you think about it). and then you calm down again, and we help each other out, because we all have problems, and monumental things happen that really rip your heart to shreds. but don't worry, it's for a great reason, and you'll get bandaged up, and screwed up again, but that's not a surprise at all.
and once in awhile life flat-lines, but keeps going: it's all circular in the end."

it really follows a lifetime.
almost exactly
smack right into consciousness
gets all screwed up
ups and downs
crescendos and drop-offs
then some calm in there
and then you realize
it wraps all around

twinkle twinkle little bat

2007-12-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

I live out of teacups.

If it doesn't fit in a teacup or mug, I probably don't dine on it.

Oh wait. I forgot to mention take-out boxes.

Yeah, those too.

mer.

2007-12-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

I just sliced my thumb on attempting to pry open my waterlogged iPod.

digits

2007-11-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've surrendered to the fact that my fingertips will never be cute again. And by typing cute, I really meant clean.

contest

2007-11-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Beowulf. Who would like a chance to see it a couple days before it opens nationally? I have the means to do so for one person. If you'd like to be that person, complete an interpretive coloring page of, or pertaining to, a wolf. Or maybe something like that. It can be visual or verbal. Pictorial or Textual. Send it to me by Monday, 12 November 2007. Buona fortuna.

l'insecte

2007-10-24T20:11:00.000-06:00

Heather swallowed a bug earlier. She's also going on a mission.

!!!

there might be something wrong:

2007-10-08T16:04:00.000-06:00

My dreams have included:
-a little friend taking a massive hit from a joint the size of my forearm, who then turned into a cat, which ran to the nearest bathtub.
-finding five kittens in my laundry basket, having been forgotten for anywhere between three weeks and three months.
-legal documents blowing in the wind.
-colors.
-clips of the old west, in high contrast.
-more kitties.
-complicated, layered plots involving the Mafia. And yet, they were of no consequence.

Yeah, I don't know either. But I do know that I can describe all of the following scenarios in exquisite, colorful details.

The Arcade Fire & LCD Soundsystem

2007-09-27T14:21:00.000-06:00

Hello Darlings,
This was ethereal.
Love, Amy

naughty

2007-09-07T16:30:00.000-06:00

Last night's euphoric late-night Princefest was well appreciated.

What a showcase of skill, baby.

we can befriend

2007-09-01T20:38:00.000-06:00

Please take note: I don't know this guy.

saqim says:
hello
saqim says:
how are you
saqim says:
heuy
Miss Amy says:
i'm doing well, how are you?
saqim says:
good
saqim says:
u
Miss Amy says:
same
saqim says:
ok
Miss Amy says:
oh, and -who- are you?
saqim says:
aim abdelltif am from moroco
saqim says:
and u
Miss Amy says:
my name is amy
Miss Amy says:
how did you get my email?
saqim says:
hey show me your webcam plesa ok
Miss Amy says:
i don't have one,
saqim says:
ok
saqim says:
where are you from
Miss Amy says:
the u.s.
saqim says:
i love this country
Miss Amy says:
morocco you mean?
saqim says:
the amercan people is very nice
saqim says:
mean
Miss Amy says:
cool
saqim says:
good
Miss Amy says:
so how did you find this email? i never use this anymore
saqim says:
ok
saqim says:
we can befriend
Miss Amy says:
if you'd like. i'm still a little confused how you got this email. plus, i don't speak arabic at all, so this would be difficult
saqim says:
u spek arbe
Miss Amy says:
no
saqim says:
u study or work
Miss Amy says:
both
Miss Amy says:
you?
saqim says:
ok
saqim says:
work
Miss Amy says:
what do you do?
saqim says:
23
saqim says:
u
Miss Amy says:
i have to go to work now
Miss Amy says:
bye!
saqim says:
ok
saqim says:
lake care
Miss Amy says:
you too
Miss Amy says:
have a good day
saqim says:
tomorow
saqim says:
k
Miss Amy says:
we'll see
saqim says:
nice to meet you
Miss Amy says:
nice to meet you too
saqim says:
bay
Miss Amy says:
bye

thank you

2007-09-01T17:18:00.000-06:00

To the burly, blond motorcycle man who felt inspired to slow his bike, wink, and twiddle his fingers to wave as I walked by: Thank you. Neither your good deeds, nor your faded-and-fraying, forest-green-button-down-shirt-with-the-sleeves-cut-off went unnoticed. You brightened my day.

international downpour

2007-08-26T23:33:00.000-06:00

This is the loudest rain I´ve heard in a long time. I´m in love.

P.S. Don´t tell the dishes.

Austin City Limits

2007-08-10T17:00:00.000-06:00

I just bought my tickets!

Roadtrip!

lyrics

2007-08-06T13:35:00.000-06:00

I'm almost positive that this song playing here in the gallery says "Captain Nemo said Okaaaaaaaaaay. [Five four three two one!]"

Go figure.

P.S. And then this other one Might be saying "Rockin' the Casbah."

bicycle

2007-08-06T12:36:00.000-06:00

Ouch.
Yesterday, I was out bicycling with my Hathacomrades and through a certain alignment of the stars, I fell off my bike.
Truth be told, I turned the corner by 7-11 and had to swerve behind a car and then my front tire skidded off the sidewalk ever-so-slightly, and then I flew. That part was neat. Then my left knee touched down. My right knee did this cool cement-skimming trick. Ooooh, and then I did this wicked break dancing move: you know the one where you balance all of your weight on one hand (my right, in this case) and then your shoulder's all Two-point Balance! and then your hip's like "Man, I want in on this!" Yeah that's what it was like. But the extraordinary thing was that all of my digits on that one hand bent oh-so-backwards, and whoa. My knee was yellow and my teeth didn't crumble out and no holes-in-the-clothes!
So I think Hillo screamed and Heather Gasp'd. Then this Sweet Brah was like "Dude, you okay?" I looked up and thought "Neptune? Pluto? Which time-space continuum did I crash through?"
Oh, I hopped back on my bike and we started riding again, but Hillo was fretting and oohing and ahhing and Heather was quite sensible and "No, Hillery. She hurt her knees, she doesn't need to lay down and put her feet up." But I did it anyway. I think I might have gotten struck by lightning too. But not really. But this jolt of electricity, or maybe adrenaline kicked in and I was amazed.
So cool.
And then Heather was a doll and followed me home to make sure I didn't get picked up by the Bad Men from the Circus, or something like that. And we didn't tell Josh and Caitie inside yet, because it wasn't a Big Deal. And I showered and it was weird because I had to keep myself awake and Lather, Rinse, Repeat. My usually rosy-red face was creepily colorless. And then I recovered because of Josh's Magic Healing Hands, and he was nice. And Heather was good and kept my crashy secret and spoke in French and that was cute.
Caitie gave me drugs. A+.
And we went to the party and the Epic Story of Flyin' Amy had been featured on a channel on La Radio Cocotier, spread from Hillo to Adam to who-knows-who, so all the others at the party later were deliciously adorable and some Rockstar Corpses sang some songs, and all was well. And I got to talk to Guatemala, and Guatemala might have been on drugs. I love them all.

And my ice-pack later wet the couch. I blamed Ryan.

It really wasn't that dramatic.

But ouch.

intergalactic

2007-08-01T18:27:00.000-06:00

What a loving stratosphere of friends I have.

That's right.

summer thus far

2007-07-26T13:33:00.000-06:00

The Great Outdoors, the Great Indoors, medium cheddar and whole grain crackers, flats of slightly too-ripe strawberries, Late-night silliness, krumpfest biznass, outdoor films under the abundant stars of Sundance with cuddly friends sprawled out on blankets and grass, watching fireworks from rooftops, stargazing on little blankies whilst interpreting dreams.
Guilty musical pleasures, superfluous discussions and then those at the other side of the spectrum, phone loss and ... cocktails, ubergigglyness, plane tickets to far-off lands, the prospect of simply living on the beach, blues voices, nostalgia and accompanying scents, slow and steady music, childlike wonder at pyrotechnic displays of patriotism, llamas and Brahma bulls.
Super late-night everything, including grilled cheese sandwich extraordinaires, les autres soirées, over-the-top celebrations of cake and dancing and révolution! stealing away to not-so-far-off-lands for little bouts of adventure, social family, un peu, dance dance dance, too much time in gallery silence and awkward glances, plaid shorts and frilly skirts, noel en juillet, heart-to-hearts, strawberry frappuccinos, lengthy stays at bookshops and public parks, depth, mildly illegal trespassing, swimmingswimmingswimming, reprimanded booty-dancing, dollar movie mind-drifts, comfortable awkwardness, silent attacks and loud reactions, camaraderie.

umm...

2007-06-23T16:58:00.000-06:00

an original? .....sold? ...maybe?!?

maternal instinct

2007-06-18T14:14:00.000-06:00

Definite all-time low. &hearts

baby's first sale!

2007-06-15T20:36:00.001-06:00

Woo-hoo!

Consider this PSA important if you like to communicate:

2007-06-08T03:24:00.000-06:00

Many of you well know that I have recently lost my phone. Well, lost in the sense that I no longer have it with me, but not lost in that I know exactly where it is.

For reasons I cannot disclose, my cellular phone is now at the bottom of a mine shaft.

That's right. A mine shaft.

Actually, I will disclose that I was on a secret mission to thwart some evil master mind's plans, but that's as much as a can tell. Really. On with our story: Since I no longer have this communication device, I will, therefore, no longer be able to call any of you, text any of you, or set up secret dance parties and flash mobs with you. Any of you. UNLESS! (And yes, there is an unless:) ... you do the following things: 1) Send your telephone digits in an email or message to me, seeing as we don't want the creeps from eastern Europe who frequent my page (yes, there are many) to get a hold of your phone number and pester you as they so often do, or! 2) Schedule an appointment (via the internet, of course) to meet at a well-lit destination with plenty of witnesses around to exchange telephone numbers once I get a new phone, or! 3) Purchase a new phone for me, and have your contact info already programmed into it. 4) Come up with any other means by which you can communicate yours digits to me. Whether it be by mail, telegram, Morse Code, postcard, connect the dots, fax, tattoo, dinner and a movie, interpretive dance, or piece of artwork, I have no preference as to which you choose, although I'm fairly terrible at understanding certain the meanings of interpretive dances so I might write a "4" when in actuality you mean a "9".

Anyway.

Good luck in your endeavors, and have a lovely time enjoying your cellular phones. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially near mine shafts, cliffs, wells, tall buildings, large bodies of water, small bodies of water, electrical outlets, caverns, taverns, dinosaurs, emergency fire escapes, stampedes, and other dangerous places.

Bless you,

Amy

P.S. For those of you who feel the need to profess your undying love for me through voice mail and/or text messages (as you so often do) please refrain from doing so until I am able to receive your message. I'll be ever so embarrassed if we run into each other and you've recently asked me for my hand in marriage through either of these venues and I'm completely unaware.

P.P.S. For future reference, try to avoid asking me to marry you via text message. That's just all too pedestrian these days.

P.P.P.S. The Almighty Wikipedia has informed me that multiple postscripts are in poor taste, and that "they are considered very poor writing style." And for this, I apologize.

rehabilitation, pt. 3

2007-06-07T16:27:00.000-06:00

Gregory wasn't the last of his kind that I picked up. There were two more wounded comrades taken down by the inclement weather. I dried them off and put them in the tree on my porch, ready to brave the elements. They were tough little guys.

rehabilitation, pt. 2

2007-06-06T16:17:00.000-06:00

There was another dragonfly down on my way to the Museum of Art four hours later. It got special treatment via a tour of an exhibit, aid in drying, and multiple caretakers. His name was Gregory.

rehabilitation

2007-06-06T08:16:00.000-06:00

This morning, on my way to work, I found a dragonfly sitting at the edge of the lawn of Maeser Hill. The entomologist in me knew that this was not typical behavior for one of these creatures, especially after a big rainstorm, and the bleeding heart in me picked it up and started helping it dry off. By the end of the walk to my building, we had successfully gotten the majority of the water droplets off, straightened out the folds in its wings, and it began beating these wings to fan off the remaining moisture.

mini-brain

2007-05-30T08:21:00.000-06:00

I just ate a piece of popcorn that looked like a brain. It was pink, too.

heard in the halls pt. 1

2007-05-16T08:43:00.000-06:00

"Yeah, that birth canal is NOT the cleanest place." - B. S.
"It's not that I go partying and stuff..." - D. F.
"If you bleed, I will not be happy. If there's an emergency in here, I'll be very mad at you." - H. A. H.

like

2007-05-09T15:53:00.000-06:00

I have a lovely life. I'm surrounded by lovely, loving people, who are 100% awesome
and they make me laugh all the time. I like that. Other things I like? My dreams. I have mutant, crazy dreams. They vary in color, contrast, speed, temperature, MPAA ratings, point of view, simplicity, saturation, species, soundtrack, volume, and cast. MyFriend Heather thinks I dream in acid trips. I also like the weather. It's just about as consistant as my dreams and this constant change keeps me on my toes. So does ink. I'm fascinated by what one can do with a bit of ink. Did you know that in some cultures they put ink under their skin in intricate designs? I'm intrigued by tattoos and satiate my amazement by watching Miami Ink every now and then. Amazing. I also like making wallpaper. That's all.

break

2007-04-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

I'm either on the verge of a breakthrough or a breakdown.

Maybe even a breakdance.

hidden

2007-04-18T14:41:00.000-06:00

I swear there's a pterodactyl secretly living in my elevator shaft. Honestly. I hear it very rarely, but it chirps every now and then.

boss

2007-03-29T09:51:00.000-06:00

I love my boss. Not many people can say this, but I really do. Evie does little things for me that are completely unnecessary for an employer to do. Sometimes she surprises me with breakfast, lunch, and other little goodies. Today, she brought me my favorite thing from Starbucks: A strawberry & creme frappuccino, chilled to perfection. She's a doll.

relief

2007-03-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

thanks heavens.

antisleep, pt. 3

2007-03-22T10:05:00.000-06:00

Riddle me this: How is it that I can get so little done when I'm having 23-hour days? Time and I are having a bit of a duel. The opposing team is kicking my trash. Congratulations, Universe. You win.

ripening booze

2007-03-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Precisely two months until I'm a Legal Person.

love

2007-02-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

What a statement. These are real-life activists.

antisleep, pt. 2

2007-02-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

- "You look tired."

Well I'm not. Thanks.

tiny

2007-02-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

baby baby. isn't this amazing?

Memo:

2007-02-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

Think happy thoughts.

It's mostly easy to be happy. If something's bogging you down, breeze through it, friends. "If you don't like your fate, change it." If you're worried about something, stop by, call me up, and we'll fix that.

antisleep

2007-02-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Although I am generally of the opinion that one should get at least a couple hours (or minutes) of sleep during the night, once in awhile it kind of feels good to get absolutely zero hours of sleep. Well. Maybe not good, per se, but... well, it's kind of nice to know that the only other creatures awake at that time are either on the opposite side of the planet, or they're part of the city's underground world. I was part of that underground society, I guess. I worked on pieces of art from dusk until dawn. ( ) I heard all sorts of charming sounds from the Night Orchestra: rain slipping from the clouds, little squeaks and creaks from the walls, a stray automobile whizzing by, alarm clocks going off at unholy hours from who-knows-where in the valley. I should have set up a camera for a time lapse photography session. Maybe next time, because happily, there will be a next time.

really?

2007-01-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

"I'm training him to be a bubble hunter." -H. A. H.