Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Today I had my first ever official SNOW DAY. I was so excited!!! It snowed last weekend but that disappeared pretty quickly. When I woke up this morning Liz was sitting in the living room in her jammies--usually she's out the door by the time I'm out of my room. I looked out the window--snow! Lots of snow. Nothing last night and this morning when I woke, a lovely blanket of white. I scraped the snow off my car (White Christmas came on the radio at that exact moment--providence) and drove to work only to find no one there. With no key to get in, I drove to a park near us and sat around for a little bit. Intersting Fact: It is incredibly amusing to watch a crow try to walk through snow up to it's chest. Crows are funny enough when they're strutting around unencumbered, but with snow--pure genius. Interesting Fact 2: Seagulls like to catch snowflakes on their tongues, too. I witnessed it with mine own eyes. I drove back by work to check and my boss was there. However, it was only the two of us and by the time we'd worked our way through one pot of coffee and marveled at the snow STILL coming down, she said, "You're done, go home." Hooray! Snow day! Home I went (it was also my first time ever driving in snow--I was so proud of me). Dang, I would have loved to have a snow day when I was little.

If you live inside my head you know how happy snow makes me. You also know how happy Seattle makes me. Combine the two and it was unbearable levels of happiness--heart hurty happiness. I grinned all the way home. Watching snow makes me feel overjoyed and at the same time peaceful, it was wonderful. I'm actually sad this is sort of fluke weather (it was the ONLY thing on the news aaaaaaaaall day long). I say that because I've never LIVED in snow, lived through several months of its constant presence. If that happened I'd probably complain a lot and grouch about it. As it stands, though, I already miss it even though it's not gone. I almost get a white Christmas--almost.


I took a lot of pictures, but I can't seem to find the cable that connects my camera and, thusly, said pictures to my computer, so you'll have to imagine and maybe I'll get them up soon.

*Siiiiigh* Oh, snow, I love you.

"Thus did Herod sore afray and grievously bewilder"

Tonight we sang our first (and only) Holiday Sing-Along concert and it made me think we need to have more good ol' fashioned carol singing at parties like they do in movies where everyone gathers 'round the piano and has a grand old time. The blog title comes from one of the songs we sang, "Unto Us Is Born A Son". I just love archaic and awkward language, it pleases me greatly and in a way makes me sad that the majority of our speech is nowhere near as creative. Our director called the song "stodgy", but I call it something we would have sung in Chamber Singers and that makes me both happy and sad. (I missed Westmont Christmas for the first time in six years and it just about breaks my heart).

When singing in choirs our directors always remind us over and over again to THINK about what we're singing--the WORDS and the HARMONIES, the MOOD. It's surprisingly hard to not just do them by rote (come on, I've been singing it every year since I can remember!), but they really do become something much more special. Here are a few that I've seen in a new way the past few years.

Good King Wenceslas: How entertainingly masculine is that song?

Bring me flesh and bring me wine!/Bring me pine logs hither!

And again, my beloved archaic language:

Hither page, and stand me by/ If thou know'st it telling/Yonder peasant, who is he?/Where and what his dwelling?

How much better is it than "Hey, who's that guy?" And the tune is so hearty and hopeful! Try belting it out without smiling--I dare you! (well, maybe don't, I'd hate to find out I was the only one who liked this song--leave me to my delusions).

The First Noel: We sang a beautiful arrangement by Mark Hoover that reminded me how lovely this piece is.

O Holy Night: How many FRIGGIN times do I have to sing this song? It is NOT a fun song to sing--in fact, it's pretty damn boring....but the WORDS. Look at them some time.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing: I distinctly remember the Westmont Christmas Festival the first year after I graduated. I was working at the program and was in the back of the audience when they sang it. I didn't really remember the lyrics, so I was reading along and I just couldn't believe it was the same blah, straight-forward song I'd been trampling through for the past twenty-odd years. The words that keep coming back to me now. I say that "Lo, How a Rose" is my favorite Christmas song, but when I'm reminded of these words, I realize I should probably change my answer. So I will leave you with the lyrics:

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King."

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King."

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in his wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark the herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King."

Frida, Frida, Nice Ta Meetcha

Two completely unrelated topics: Halloween and the movie Changeling.
Halloween -- I haz it. Or, hadz it. Last night was the blessed event and for the first time in years I dressed up in a real costume. Not, Wear-Everything-Black-And-Call-It-Teen-Goth costume, but a costume. My neighbor/housemate/landlady let me borrow her jewelry, fake flowers and a dress that she used last year to dress up as Frida Kahlo. So on Friday night I fought years of instinct that have kept me battling my natural tendency towards uni brow and drew one in on purpose. It was the best Halloween I've had in years--I even enjoyed going to two parties full of people I'd either never met or barely knew and, if you know me, I'm not much of a party person even when I know everyone. But I think I made a damn fine Frida.

MY FACE ISN'T USED TO LOOKING THAT SERIOUS. I'M TOO NATURALLY SMILEY.

Changeling -- Liz and I saw this movie tonight and I cannot get it out of my head. It's eating me from the inside. In a good way. I wanted to see it because I think Angelina Jolie is a good actress and I love the few movies I've seen Clint Eastwood direct--though I have to say that he doesn't have a good track record for "happy ending" films, so I knew I was in for a hardcore drama. It was a wonderful movie, I was thoroughly impressed by the acting of all involved. Even minor characters--one man who played a lawyer couldn't have been in the movie for more than 15 minutes altogether but he made an impression on me. At one point all he did was make a small, protective lunge forward with a defensive look on his face and I was mesmerized, I really couldn't look away from him. But it was one of the most intense movies I have ever seen. Let's be honest, I cried a couple times. It was a true story (not "based on a true story" which generally means something like 85-90% of it is made up) but I wish it wasn't because it is not a pleasant story. Alas, this film was not about happy endings. This film was about justice and hope in very horrible circumstances. You feel vindicated in a way, which makes this it's own kind of "feel good" movie, but it's definitely not in a daisies and unicorns style. All that to say, if you can handle the gut-wrenching aspects for the sake of a well told, well done story, PLEASE go see it.

And In Your Dreams, Whatever They Be

THEIRS IS A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Wow, it's been a long time since I blogged. That's what happens when you're employed, I suppose: you don't have time to think that every little stupid thing you do might be interesting. Because it's probably not, anyway. More about the job later. And by later I mean next time I blog. I don't feel like organizing thoughts about work right now. I will, however, post an e-mail I sent to my former co-worker/current friend. For those of you who don't know, I have ridiculous dreams. Seriously. Ask me about them some time--I once dreamed an entire movie that had a soundtrack AND rolled credits at the end. Also, I usually remember them in far more vivid detail than other people. There are a number of dreams I had when I was a child that I still remember clearly. Last night was an excellent series of dreams. Enjoy:

Beth, I blame you and your e-mail and its mention of men for the fact that last night all my dreams revolved around me being awkward around men and wishing I had a boyfriend. Seriously. And they were all the WEIRDEST dreams. I can't recall them exactly, but in one, Matt was trying to date me again...sort of. He wasn't sure if he wanted to and so he kept trying to sneakily hold my hand over the wall of our cubicles (we were in an office?) and I kept thinking "WHAT the HELL are you doing?" but I figured it was easier to let him do that and just forget it happened than mention it. Then I dreamed that the guy I dated in Italy moved to Seattle and had a girlfriend and she hated me because I was taller than her and therefore closer to his 6'4". THEN I dreamed that Fred Astaire told me that he needed my help on an important caper, so I went with him to an amusement park where we found this guy who was really important and then Fred started ignoring me and we were all eating corn dogs and gently singing "Nature Boy" by Nat King Cole except Fred didn't notice me anymore and it made me really sad. I'm insane and I blame you.

I love my brain.

Young Lady With the Socks on Her Hands

I rode the bus today and feel very good about it. Gosh, I just love public transportation!

PLEASANTLY BALD GUY AT 3RD & PIKE STOP

A lady next to me was having a very pleasant conversation with herself. Not the kind where the person is yelling at someone nonexistent, it was almost as if she were talking on the phone with a good friend (I checked, no ear piece and no cell unless they were invisible). She was talking very softly and happily about the arrival of Christmas and the beauty of nature and how wonderful it was. I wandered around downtown a bit and stopped at Pike's Market for a few minutes where a young guy selling various pastas shouted, "You, young lady with the socks on her hands! Come try some chocolate pasta!" I like my arm warmers.

"GEE, WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN KNITWEAR?"

In other news, I'M EMPLOYED!!! With job! Having of a place to go Monday-Friday 40 hours a week!

HOORAY FOR ME!!

That's right, I'm finally going to return to the status of "Gainfully Employed". I interviewed Thursday morning and by Thursday afternoon I was hired.

"I'm hiiiiired/I hope I don't get fiiiiiired/In 30 years I'll be retired/But for now I'm simply hiiiiired" - MST3K

Apparently they actually canceled other interviews they had planned because they liked me so much (they said I was "sharp" and they liked my enthusiasm). So starting Monday I'll be doing the 8:30-5 thing (not quite the ring of 9-5 but I'm going for honesty). It's nice because the place is so very close to my house that in nice weather I can bike there and even if I drive I'll be using very little gas. Tomorrow I see about taking the bus there. Hooray! I'm employed!!! Now i guess I won't have to spend my days winding my miscellaneous yarn into center-pull balls...actually, that's kind of sad. Oh well--I HAVE A JOB!

I LEAD A SMALL BUT HAPPY LIFE

The Sweet Sounds of Matrimony

Well, my friend's wedding is over and done with. I'm sure she's glad the stress of the event is gone, but it's always sad that the fun, partying part can't last much longer.

I arrived in Sacramento on Thursday and was met at the airport by my lovely sister. (1) It was great to see her walking on her own as the last time I saw her she was still in a cast and on crutches/in a wheelchair due to her broken ankle. Now she has a scar, a slight limp and some "hardware" in her "robot ankle" but seems otherwise fine. (2) She was driving our old brown Ford Aerostar van which has been in the family for ages. We both drove it during high school and MAN, did being in it bring back memories. It even smelled the way I remember it. It's funny when a dusty van smell makes you nostalgic. The best part was that the power window on the driver's side is failing so whenever you want it open you have to push it down while holding the button, and when you want it up you have to pull. Not a safe maneuver when driving, but a hilarious one at least.

On Friday I drove down to Ione with another bridesmaid, one of my really good friends (of the group of four whose friendship survived junior high, high school, college and now these post-college years -- we're so impressive).

FRIENDS FOR SO LONG: THE GAL TO MY RIGHT
ALSO: I'M FRIGGIN' HUGE!

The event was held at a tiny B&B interestingly located next to an Ace Hardware--you could see and hear the fans from their ventilation system all during the rehearsal (never fear, the music played at the wedding drown out the sounds in a surprisingly effective manner). I was extremely pleased to find out that the groom had one exceedingly tall friend, so I got to walk with someone who was taller than me even when I was wearing heels--excellent (he also had dark hair and heavy, dark plastic glasses so we matched excellently during the rehearsal).

THE BRIDAL PARTY

The wedding itself went well aside from a few minor hiccups that no one really noticed and that didn't make a huge difference. Of course the maid of honor, sister of the bride was weeping right from the get go, as were the mothers of the bride and groom. None of the bridesmaids fell on the cobble stone walk way even though we were wearing heels. For dinner they had friggin' DELICIOUS steak and mashed potatoes. The bartender was VERY generous with the amount of alcohol in the drinks, especially for people in the wedding party (hellooooo wedding punch that was literally half vodka, oy!) And on the way home I got to ride with my oldest friend--I've known him since the 3rd grade--which was great because I don't get to spend much time with him (although I suppose that's to be expected when you live in different towns and now different states). All in all an excellent trip home.

CONGRATULATIONS!

And as a reward for making it all the way through this blog post, I offer you the following fun:
WTF?
ACK!
HOLY CRAP!!!

Oh Joy, Rapture!

I'm flying home this weekend to be in one of my best friend's weddings (and not in an attempted break up Julia Roberts type way). So this is the second wedding in a little over a year in which I've been a bridesmaid and, once again, it seems strange that someone my age, and, in this case, someone I've known for almost half my life, is getting hitched. Although, technically she's already hitched, but this is the big ceremony where family and friends get to come and see and they do the "traditional" wedding thing. Matrimony. Weird. I'm still not dating anyone (and not even CLOSE since I'm in a new town and haven't even really met anyone outside my roommates yet) and therefore I'm still light years away from the reality of marriage and it just seems so weird inside my head that I can't grasp it. Dang, I miss having a boy.

Of course, I'm super happy for her and now I've actually MET the groom, which is good, since I wasn't around for any of the meeting/dating/proposal/civil ceremony stuff. Fortunately the last time I went home I finally met him and liked him quite immensely. Oh my friend, she's one of the greatest people I know. We met in the 8th grade I belive. If I remember correctly it was through mutual friends, but she was also in my P.E. class. I still remember the sun/moon celestial backpack she had and when she got a short haircut I was impressed and jealous that she'd chop off all her hair and look so darn good doing it. I remember going to her house to keep her company while her little sister had a sleepover with a dozen shrieking girls. I remember dying my hair, rinsing it thoroughly but STILL ending up leaving orange-y marks all over her white stuffed rabbit--she didn't even yell at me. She unfailingly makes me feel loved and good about myself. We never talk on the phone but when we see each other maybe twice a year it's all happiness and silliness and no awkwardness. I hope I'm friends with her for a very very very long time. Like, forever would be nice.

So on Thursday I'm flying down, Friday is the rehearsal and Saturday I'm hopefully squeezing my way into the bridesmaid dress. Squeezing. This is what happens when you try on and order dresses at a time when you're regularly going to a gym and running and then you quit your job, go on vacation, move out of state and don't have enough money to join a gym and running often seems to hurt your knees and ankles and so you don't work out regularly: you gain weight. Here's hoping that my change in diet is at least helping. I live with very health conscious people and, therefore, have been attempting to eat more green things and less cheese-coated, deep-fried things (mmmm...deep friiiied...). Pleeeease let me fit into the dress, I don't want to have to buy a corset.

Hmmmm, maybe I'll go for a run right now...

More Things Noted At Choir Rehearsal

1. One of the cellists has an incomparable white man fro. Really, it takes my breath away.

2. Another string player has the longest beard I have ever seen on a human being. He could literally tuck it into his belt if he so chose. Kudos, Sir, you are truly a champion of the beard.

3. When emphatically conducting the director hisses loudly. I'm not sure if this is a way of focusing his energy or if it is simply physics: with such wild flailing his poor diaphragm gets squeezed around so much he can't help but force out air. Whatever the case, I can hear it over the orchestra. Interesting.

4. I was doing a crossword puzzle during some down time. The clue: "Bethlehem product." Oh, how dearly I wish the answer had been "Jesus".

A Smattering of Things

Things Noted At Tonight's Choir Rehearsal:

1) There is someone in the other choir who laughs just like Brian Jensen. I have not yet been able to determine who it is. The mystery continues.

2) I have no idea where the conductor's down beat is. Ever. Seriously, I think he picks a differnt place to put it every 3-7 measures just to keep us on our toes. Not a fan, dude, not a fan (and I'm not the only one).

3) There is a 1 1/2 measure series of notes in the piece that sounds EXACTLY like the theme song from Batman: The Animated Series and I laugh every time I hear it. I have also drawn the Bat signal by it each time it occurs in the score. I hope someone in the audience picks it out.

4) I walked through a pocket of smell backstage that smelled EXACTLY like a copy of the book Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Margurite Henry which I owned as a child. I have no idea what backstage smelled like that and I have no idea why I remember the book smell so exactly.

5) Boychoirs are adorable. They're probably better musicians now at age 10 than I'll ever be. Of course, I guess it's not really cool to be a boy soprano when you're in junior high, but I applaud you, tiny singers, keep a-rockin'.

You Will Curse the Day You Did Not Do All That The Phantom Asked of You

Last night Liz and I went to see The Phantom of the Opera which was playing downtown. Now, I'm not a solid fan Andrew Lloyd Weber fan, more of a pick 'n' choose kinda gal (ie--Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar) but I quite enjoy the music in Phantom. There are a number of lovely little bits and, really, the whole story is a melodrama so you have to forgive some melodramatic music. Also, I forgot how entertaining the play is: ridiculous melodrama, outrageous costumes, "flameball"-throwing skull staffs. In addition, I noticed something I'd missed the last time I saw it: Raoul's amazing ability to sing lustily while hanging from a noose--really, it's impressive.

In relation to Phantom, I've become aware of an ominous series of coincidences: PATRICK WILSON IS EVERYWHERE. Who is Patrick Wilson, you ask? He is an actor, friends, and in the past month I have not been able to get away from him. I hadn't ever heard of him until Liz and I were watching the movie Little Children and I thought, "This guys looks really familiar? Who IS he?" I couldn't avoid the nagging suspicion that he was playing Night Owl in the (HOORAAAAAY!!!) Watchmen movie and I was RIGHT (yup, I'm a genius). But I ALSO realized I'd seen him in the trailer for the upcoming Lakeview Terrace about a billion times just this summer (it played before a LOT of movies). Next, in my general upcoming-movie perusal I stumbled upon the Anne Hathaway film Passengers--guess who plays her boyfriend? It all came to a head last night when I IMDBed the Phantom movie because I'd forgotten Gerard Butler played the Phantom (that's right, boys, King Leonidas was the Phantom) and found...PATRICK WILSON PLAYED RAOUL. What is going on?! Either this all means I'm going to meet Patrick Wilson soon and it will change the course of my life or...Patrick Wilson is going to kill me.

In unrelated news, I've been taking multivitamins because, well, hey, why not? Primary difference I've noticed? My nails look AMAZING. They're so smooth and glossy and I can't stop looking at them. Thanks, folic acid!

Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens

Things Which Have Recently Brought Me Joy:

Fig. 1

1. The Relevant Podcast--It ALWAYS brings me joy.
2. Loose leaf tea--Who knew it could be so entertaining? Who knew tea could have pineapple in it? Who knew its volume could increase so much just by soaking up a little water?
3. We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson -- She's just good. She's insane, but she's good.
4. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool--I kept hearing great things about him on the Relevant Podcast and I do whatever the Relevant Podcast crew tell me to, so I checked his album out of the library. Awesome. That's all. I particularly can't stop listening to "The Coolest" and "Put You On Game". I've needed new music for a while.
5. Cooking--I have been making some excellent meals lately if I do say so myself. Shrimp tacos with mango salsa, anyone?
6. Knitting--It is my new obsession. Evidence: (a) I just want to sit and knit all day. (b) I've got about 6 books on my request list from the library--books about how to knit, books about the language of knitting, about yarn, about the social history of knitting. (c) If I see a sweater/hat/pair of mittens/socks I think, "How is that done? I bet I could do that pretty soon." (d) Proudest recent accomplishment? Winding my own center-pull ball of yarn. (Fig. 2.)

Fig. 2

7. Born Yesterday--A wonderful movie from 1950 starring Judy Holiday (HILARIOUS) and William Holden (What's the mature, suave version of "adorkable"?)

CURRENT LIFE GOAL: Domestic bliss. (See 2, 5 & 6...Also, I already have the start of an apron collection.)

September Is Almost Half Over...Holy Crap!

So I didn't get a job I really wanted, which is sort of disheartening. I'm trying to go with the whole, "It wasn't meant to be, something better will come along" philosophy because I did try my hardest and did very well in my interview and the lady even said I impressed her, but still. I think I would have liked working there and would have done well. Not to mention the whole bank account thing...oy.

I did, however, get a new cell phone. I suppose that after three years it was time? Of course, being who I am, the reason I like the phone isn't all the wacky stuff it can do, but the fact that it's nice and square and just the perfect weight and I like holding it.

In better news I spent this weekend camping with Liz's family and had a blast. 7 adults went and brought along 4 children between the ages of 1 and 5. This equals adventure. I haven't been around children that much in a long time but they were all great kids. There was much silliness and adorable speech impediments. One of the best parts was Liz's nephew singing to himself in the tent after he was put to bed. We all got really quiet and listened to his song: "I'm not a baby/I'm just Jonah/Everyone is a boy or a girl/1,2,3,4,5,6/1 boy/1 girl/boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl..." Best song ever. Also, one boy couldn't remember my name, so Liz's sister said to just call me "Mrs. D" (like an elementary school teacher) which caught on real well. I guess I'm Mrs. D now? I didn't even know I was married--good for me!

Miss Jackson, If You're Nasty

Shirley Jackson is nutty as all get out. In a repressed 1950sish woman sort of way. I remember years ago reading a few short stories from her book The Lottery and Other Stories and thinking how strange and unappealing they were. And yet they stuck with me. I still vividly recall "The Tooth" and how unsettling and yet somehow amusing it was. I was the type of kid who tried reading things way over her head because she'd heard they were good/smart/classics. While I mostly just loved reading, I'll admit there was a little hopeful arrogance, too. I knew I was never going to be cool so I hoped maybe I could be smarter than the cool people and that when I was older and smart was finally (please, please, pleaaaase!) important to people other than my teachers, I'd have it made.

I digress.

Several times I've reread things I tried years ago but couldn't quite get in to (praise be, or I never would have reread Me Talk Pretty One Day and discovered the joy that is David Sedaris!) After reading and thoroughly enjoying The Haunting of Hill House last year I decided to give Jackson another go. I was again rewarded in my rereading of The Lottery and Other Stories. While there is a range of subjects, most of them in some way or other revolve around an individual woman and how she is interacting with the world around her and the people in it--often attempting to be winning and sociable but becoming bewildered or falling into fear or a sort of cold, hardness. In a number of them the story becomes increasingly unsettling and it's hard to pinpoint why. Jackson writes casually and in a seemingly straightfoward way, but I (often along with the main character) find myself becoming wary of the situation and surrounding people, sometimes even with a sense of foreboding or fear. I can't even remotely explain it other than to liken it to sitting in a public place with a person who is smiling and telling you in a very calm, matter of fact voice all the terrible things they're going to do to you, but the worst part is that no one around you seems to think there is anything wrong. And maybe there isn't.

Poor Liz. For days, as I was reading the book, I'd just burst out with "Aaaaah! Waaaaugh! What!?! W-wh-what's happening!? She's...she's so WEIRD! BAH! I don't know what to do with this!" It was so unlike anything I'd read before that I was pleased, frustrated, befuddled and enchanted. I loved every minute of it.

(NOTE TO THOSE WHO ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK: You can also play a fun game with it: several of the stories throughout are subtly linked together--try and figure out how!)

My Mind Is A Wasteland of Random

This last week I walked to the Farmers' Market near my house. I bought green onions because I must ALWAYS have them in my fridge just in case. I also bought these purple potatoes purely because I loved their color (though they did end up being quite delicious when baked in olive oil, garlic, the aforementioned green onions and some Italian spices). I also bought a little box of blackberries and consumed the entire bunch on the way home. Tasty tasty.

I've been knitting up a storm lately. Mom asked me for armwarmers for Christmas (sis, if you're reading this don't show her, the finished product is at least a secret). The request coincided nicely with my desire to knit something other than just beanies and scarves. I also remembered my promise to my knitting sensei Mary that I would try cable stitch, so I found a pattern that used it. I'm quite proud of the results:

THEY'RE FOR MOM. SHHHH! IT'S A SECRET.

My roommate liked them as well so I knit her a pair in charcoal grey. I'm going to make myself a pair as soon as I decide on a color. Probably a charcoal grey as well, but I'm also considering a nice, deep, rusty red. We shall see. Regarding yarn, I tend to randomly buy it if I see a color I like or I touch it and it's very very soft. I found the yarn below at Michaels on sale. It was incredibly soft (an acrylic/merino blend), incredibly cheap (maybe $2-3?), and in a color I LOVE. I'm not sure what I'm going to knit with it, but I hope whatever it is is worthy of the gorgeous, somehow friendly color.

I want to know more about knitting, so I checked the book Stitch 'n' Bitch out of the library. It's one I've randomly seen and heard good things about and I quite enjoy it. The author has a clear but amusingly sassy way of speaking and is very practical and live-and-let-knit about the whole thing (not a knitting snob--yes, they exist). Also, her diagrams are all cartoons, so of course I enjoyed that. I don't have a strong desire to crochet but I'd buy her crochet guide based purely on the title: Stitch 'n' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.

SOME CREATURES WHO LIVE ON MY WINDOWSILL

Those windowsill creatures really don't have anything to do with anything, I just find them funny.

Today I had a job interview downtown and afterwards I went to a French bakery/cafe down the street. They had what are arguably the cutest sugar cubes ever. Not that there's a raging international Cute Sugar competition running, but if there was, this would probably win:

I THINK..."OUI"

Inside the package there are two tiny sugar cubes. And I don't speak French, but I'm guessing the top is asking if you want another coffee, and you can check "oui" or "non" on the side. I'm also in favor of this sugar as it came in lime green, teal, cranberry and bright orange. Hip colors, to be sure, but some of my favorites. I wanted to steal a whole fistful but I didn't because...I'm a pansy?

Ramble-ations

I haven't even been in Seattle for a month and I already have the barcode on my library card memorized (hey, you need it to place holds and listen to books on tape online (See previous post for "book on tape" accuracy discussion)). What does this say about me as a person? (Other than, "I like the library.")

Job Interview Complaint of the Day: If the job you're hiring for is part time and so crazily part time that it's less than 16 hours a week, shouldn't you mention that in your job listing/over the phone when setting up said interview/at the beginning of an interview? Guess not.

Job Interview "Hooray" of the Day: I've never been so happy to turn down pay and health care. I went for a second interview with a company I wasn't too sure about. By the end of the interview I realized the people there were really really nice, the pay was good, I had the skills to do the job...and I absolutely DID NOT want to work there. Suffice to say I just knew that it wasn't for me. As soon as I decided not to pursue the job I felt about 1000 lbs lighter and I couldn't stop smiling. I put my happy music on, drove home, and had a great day. I don't like job hunting, but I was SOOOOOO happy to go back to it. I know, I'm crazy.

I got my hair cut today, it's back in shape, short 'n' sassy. I look pretty dang adorable if I do say so myself.

Eat It, (Probably Shouldn't) Read It, Watch It.

I have attended two barbecues since arriving in Washington. Both barbecues were, with the exception of one acquaintance, entirely populated by strangers who didn't pay me much mind.

Until I fell down.

Yes, I managed to eat it on two separate occasions, causing large groups of strangers to suddenly focus all their attention on me. Sweet, now if anyone remembers me, it will be as, "That girl, the one who fell." Yeah. I'm hip.

Another lame facet of the jewel of my clumsiness is that this last time I fell I mildly mangled my ankle. It only hurts when I put pressure on it from a certain angle and I'm still functional, mobile, even. I can walk, just with a limp (this, more of a Christopher Walken The Dead Zone limp than the chicken has). And my ankle is swollen, which is interesting.

Due to my unfortunate tumble I spent my Saturday evening with my foot propped up. It wasn't a complete loss, however, because I got to knit and listen to a book on tape (Aside: I know, I know, it's not actually on tape, but "book on tape" just sounds...happier than "audiobook", which sounds sterile and unfulfilling.) I made the oh so happy discovery that the Seattle Public Library has a number of audiobooks online for your downloading and listening pleasure (unfortunately not yet compatible with iPods--oh, poo). Thusly, I spent 5 hours teaching myself to make cable knit arm warmers (I'm fabulous, by the way) while listening to the highly entertaining Blood & Chocolate, a YA werewolf story I vaguely recall having read in elementary school or junior high. I think it's sort of what the Twilight series wishes it could be. Not to say that Blood & Chocolate is Pulitzer material, but it's not quite as laughably shallow as the Edward and Bella saga.

And now that we've broken that tragic secret, yes, I did read Twilight, that book of dubious fan-girl-screaming-crazy-tears-running-down-their-faces fame. I couldn't help it. My best friend told me how awful it was and so, of course, I decided that I needed to read it--I'm a lover of MST3K which means I am a lover of the hilariously bad. Call it morbid curiosity? After reading it I decided two things:

1. I simply don't understand what all the fuss is about
2. It reads as if a talented teenager had read an excellent vampire romance novel and then wrote a very very long fanfiction about it.

That said, I'm probably going to read at least one more from the series. I can't help it--I have to try and understand what sends the weeping masses over the edge about it. Or at least have another eye-rolling, head-shaking, sigh-heaving, hands-to-the-heavens hearty chuckle. But I'm going to check them out of the library--I can't bring myself to support it monetarily...or to be seen picking it up, standing in line with it, and paying for it.

What I will support monetarily, however, is the film Pineapple Express. Liz and I went and saw it on Friday night an boy howdy, was it a doozy. I LOVED IT. If you enjoyed 40 Year-Old Virgin or Knocked Up and their vulgar, yet bizarrely sweet and endearing characters, you're well on your way to enjoying Pineapple Express. If you liked the hilarious action of Hot Fuzz, that's another step in the right direction. I can't even explain the joy that it brought to me (however, the words "Seth Rogen" and "James Franco" are a good start). So if you can handle a dose of foul language, a lot of pot and some occasionally graphic violence (boy, what an endorsement), then you've come to the right place my friend. Sit with me, laugh with me, love with me.

Updatey Randomness

Let's update, shall we? Come friends, as I try to recall what I've been doing since I got up here. Oh yes, looking for a job. Not thrilling. Not productive, thus far, but I have hopes that I'm not completely unemployable. The internet at the house is crotchety, so I've been here at the library a lot. It's a cute little place and only a few blocks from my house. Sweet.

I joined the Seattle Symphony Chorale, about which I am very pleased. I was shaking during my audition (hey, I sing in a choir to AVOID singing by myself) but managed not to catastrophically screw up. So now I'm in and we're singing Mahler's 8th Symphony in a month. They move fast here in the northwest.

I found a figure drawing group online. The people host various drawing events throughout the year--different days, different places around town, types of models, etc. Sadly, I apparently missed "Drawing Burlesque" which actually would have been AWESOME. There is a session this Saturday which I plan to attend--hopefully I'll get a job soon so I can support this habit in a regular fashion--translation: these models don't get naked for free.

Rain. Actually, up until this weekend it was consistently gorgeous here. However, for the past two days it has been grey and rainy. Goodness GRACIOUS, I love the rain.

Otherwise....

ELIZABETH THE FAIR: GUARDIAN OF HEARTH AND HOME

This is my housemate Elizabeth. This is my housemate Elizabeth standing before the portal to our current abode. Isn't she adorable? At the top of the stairs is a tiny landing which has been turned into a "porch" by the addition of a chair--one of those gliding rockers. Last week I sat out on the "porch" while knitting and listening to a sermon from Reality (I miss that church! God bless the podcast). It was all very rural of me. Next time, I'm listening to A Prairie Home Companion.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR CHICKENS. I WILL CALL HER GERTRUDE.

Yes, we have chickens. Sweet, huh? Very entertaining to draw. Occasionally we get eggs. They also make very strange noises and one of them has a gimpy leg so she walks with a limp--but not a cinematically entertaining, stiff-legged, cane-assisted one like Christopher Walken in The Dead Zone. We should be so lucky.

BLUE-COLLAR LIVIN'

The owners of the house are having some work done around the place. This fun piece of equipment was related to the trees they recently took out. Elizabeth and I, of course, wasted no time hopping on for a photo shoot as soon as the workers left--some sort of illegal?

SO EXCITED TO BE CRUSHED

The backhoe had some of the sweetest warning signs ever. In this one, he's being pinched to death. In another he is electrocuted when the backhoe gets tangled in power lines. In yet another the backhoe rolls over and crushes him. Stick figure people lead dangerous lives.

I'M ROYALTY, BITCH

That's right, I got a Burger King crown. For free. Eat your heart out.

I Have A Gold Medal In...Laziness?

1) I love the soothing feel of knitting. It's addictive.
2) I'm really not good at teaching knitting. I hope Liz doesn't fire me.
3) I completely forgot that when you move into a new place you ALSO pay a security deposit.
4) My bank account is displeased with my aforementioned forgetfulness.
5) I have watched many many hours of Olympics recently. It's tragically addictive--they show you snippets of one sport, and switch to another right in the middle; so you think, "Well, I'll wait 'til so an so comes back on" then get hooked on the current sport regardless of what it is.
6) There's a 33 year old mother on the German women's gymnastics team. Too cool.
7) Synchronized diving--how the flip do they DO that?
8) Did anyone else see the frickin' AMAZING win for the US men's relay swim team? HOLY CRAP!!! I actually jumped up and down. However, my reaction was nothing compared to Michael Phelps' screaming 300-esque freak out. Fabulous.
9) Above kick-ass win is second only in my Olympic memories to Keri Strugg's vaulting-on-a-mangled-ankle ass kickery from days of yore.
10) Wow, I haven't watched the Olympics in a long time--there was a day when I at least knew the names of every girl on the gymnastics team. Now I have no idea who any of them are--but I'll still cheer for them.

Washington, Schmashington

Well, kids, I'm in Washington. I left Sacramento at 11:30am on Saturday and arrived at my new home approximately in the 6pm hour on Sunday with nary a tragedy between. Saturday night I did end up having to stay in a more expensive hotel than I thought because apparently Eugene, OR is REAL popular, but it was comfy. Sunday I slept until 9 and had a leisurely morning and an uneventful drive except for when a giant gas grill set flew off of the truck in front of me and landed on the road. When my car and the grill came to a stop we were about a foot from each other. ADVENTURE! I ate lunch at a Taco Bell that had the most poorly constructed burrito I'd ever seen and tacos that tasted strongly of cinnamon twists and very little of beef.

POORLY CONSTRUCTED YET TASTY BURRITO

At one point I noticed a large dome poking above the treeline and decided to investigate only to find that it was my new state capitol! So I took a gander and it was lovely.

THE DOME

YOUR SEAL IS CUTE, WA, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE A BEAR ON IT. CA WINS THIS ONE.

YOU PROBABLY CAN'T READ IT, BUT THIS BUILDING IS CALLED THE "TEMPLE OF JUSTICE". SWEET.

And finally I reached my new house--it's adorable! Seeing Liz makes my heart happy, I haven't seen her in person in a year! (More pictures later). Noah and Rayna (hmmm, I have no idea how to spell her name, I'll have to find out...) came down from Anacortes for various reasons and we went out for dinner at a sushi restaurant (Noah can eat a LOT) and went to see The Dark Knight (well, for me it was again, but it was so good I didn't mind seeing it a second time!) and then ate organic desserts right from the bakery box. All in all, a good first evening in Washington. Now, to unpack my car...

"You May Travel Far But Love's Never Lost"

In a few hours I begin the final leg of my journey to Seattle! I'm scared out of my mind! And beyond excited. Pray for my mental and physical health on the journey and for a smooth moving-in process. Also pray for the whole friend-making thing. I'm terrified to try and find friends in a non-school setting. How do you do it if you're not living and going to classes and eating with people day in and day out? HOW? Add my hidden crippling lack of self-esteem and internal terror of everyone and it's going to be an exciting process. I'm so glad I'll have Liz and Tex and Caitlin!

I've been at home for a few weeks visiting my family and friends before heading up. I forget how much I love my Sacramento friends: we've got a beautiful kind of relationship where no matter how long it's been since the last time we talked, when we see each other awkwardness isn't an issue--all it is is pure fun. This is good for me considering how much I dislike talking on the phone. If I've ever made the effort to call you on the phone to chat--even once--it's a sure sign that I love you. I wish they'd all move north with me. Alas. On the plus side I know I'll see them all again at the beginning of October for Maria's wedding. Speaking of which, I'm thoroughly bummed that I'm missing both the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. Heartbreak much? Oh that flying weren't so expensive, I'd do it in a minute.

My family also took a three day trip to Yosemite and Tahoe. It just doesn't seem like it would be summer without at least Tahoe. The two places were gorgeous and we were blessed with perfect weather which is amazing considering that mere days after we left fires broke out near there and the area was FILLED with ridiculous amounts of smoke, so I've heard. P.S. When Yosemite says a trail is wheelchair accessible, that is not necessarily true...unless you're REAAAAALLY lookin' for a workout.

And with that, I wish California well and head off to the great northern climes of Washington. I'll try and keep y'all updated on my whereabouts and doin's. I'm going to miss you, CA people, but we shall meet again. Love you.

This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both of Me

I am no longer a current Westmonter. I am no longer a Santa Barbara resident. Holy crap. I am also not yet a Seattle resident. After much cursing and sweating I finished packing my car and drove to Sacramento on Tuesday. It was a long drive after a long day and I was not in a good mood for the majority of the ride. However, singing along with musicals on the way home helped me calm down and become somewhat more pleasant to be around. Since then I've been hanging out with the fam, watching TV and reading (oh, Jane Eyre, so good).

Internally I'm pretty sure that I'll be returning to Santa Barbara as soon as this family visit is over because that's the way it's ALWAYS been done. And by "always" I mean for the past six years. It's hard to believe that this time is different, that this time instead of heading south I'll be heading north. Ack!

Otherwise, nothing much exciting. Just the utter overhaul of my life. How's your summer?

If you need a break, I suggest you watch this: www.drhorrible.com You're welcome.

Putting the "Pro" in Procrastination

So I'm done with my job on July 3rd. Approximately 2 1/2 weeks to go. I have a lot to do to get the office ready for whoever is next and I've done....about none of it. I started a secretary manual several months ago, but haven't worked on it in a long time. But at least this one will be USEFUL, not like the mystery book I found when I arrived: "You will have to organize private lessons." That's nice...HOW? Like a fortune cookie wrote the damn thing. Instead of organizing the files in the drawers I've been letting stuff pile up on my desk. It's hard to motivate yourself to work when no one is in the office all day to keep you accountable. Unfortunately shame is one of my major motivators in life, so if there's no one around to shame me, I'll sit around and read all day (hey, at least I'm literate).

As far as getting out of my apartment I haven't even gotten boxes yet. Which reminds me, I should go recycling dumpster diving this afternoon...Fortunately I only have one room of stuff to pack, not a whole house, so I'll probably be okay. I'm not leaving until July 14th so I have plenty of time...watch me not put it to good use.

I'm having some people over to play games this weekend--I love game night. I'm awesomely nerdy. Of course, I need to go buy at least one game since I currently only own Boggle. However, I fully intend to make people play Pictionary Dictionary (or Telephone Pictionary if you want to call it by the "real" name), a game handed down directly from Mount Olympus. I also intend to make cupcakes.

On another unrelated note, I took my sister to Disneyland for her birthday and we ate at the Blue Bayou, the restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean, and the food was excellent. Particularly what I called "Meat Dessert" which they call their Molasass-brined Pork Chops. It was perhaps the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. If you want a life changing taste experience, I highly recommend Meat Dessert.

Book Lust. I Haz It.

Now that it's summer, I can't get away from the feeling that summer is for fun, not for work. Years as a student taught me that is the case. Even if you have a summer job it somehow seems like you have way more time to loaf about with the entertainment of your choice. I find myself actually angry that I have to go to work because it means I can't just plonk myself down in the sun with my book and read for hours (it's so very unsatisfying to read for less than 20 minute stretches...)

Is book lust a deadly sin? Probably in that I'm sure it must be related to greed. That's right, my biggest vice is books. I can't walk away. I can't say no to their smooth covers; their clean pages; that wonderful book smell; the physical feel of a paperback that's soft, but not so floppy that it becomes unwieldy; the hardback with a perfectly neat dust jacket that you can use as a bookmark and the somehow fabulous feeling of holding open a book you're 2/3 of the way through. I have books I bought 2 years ago and still haven't read--not because I don't want to, but because I can't indiscriminately read. I find it very difficult to enjoy a book if I'm not in the mood for it, no matter how good it may be. There are books I have started three times and could never finish, but finally the day came and I read them through and they were BEAUTIFUL (yeah, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close!) And now my book lust continues as When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris' new book, arrives on shelves. Technically it came out yesterday, but I was prostrate with illness all day or I most certainly would have gone to Borders immediately. I can't say no to books. I DEFINITELY cannot say no to David Sedaris. He touches my soul.


In honor of my book lust, here are several that you should read in order to become a better person (by my standards, anyway):


Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim both by Sedaris. Everything he writes is gold, but these are my favorites. 24k gold, one might say. Perhaps, white gold?


Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. If you like random pictures, inventions, tambourines and wonder constantly why beds aren't made with a space for your arm when you're lying on your side, you'll like this one.


How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen. One of the best etiquette books for children ever written.


I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean! by Kevin Sherry. Giant squid learns a lesson in humility.


Cowboy & Octopus by Jon Sciezka. Cowboy. Octopus. 'Nuff said.

The Stand. I just love Stephen King. There is no cure. If I survive a global epidemic, I hope I meet Stu Redman. I'm on his team.

There are more. Many more. But start with those. Let me know when you're done.

Okay People

I'm just sad tonight, and tired. Various reasons, but I ended up driving aimlessly for about an hour (sorry gas, sorry bank account). Driving keeps me from thinking. I put on music and just stare at the road. All I have to do is focus on keeping the car in the lane and I can stop my brain from working on other issues. I wish I didn't have anything to do tomorrow, I was sorely tempted to drive until I could drive no more and just stay in a hotel somewhere. In a way, it wouldn't have felt so bad if I could have just called someone up and said, "Can I come over for a while?" But I feel like I don't have anyone like that here anymore. I have friends here, don't get me wrong, but different kinds of friends. You know how you have friends for different occasions? Friends you go to dinner with, friends you're silly with, friends you see certain movies with, drink with, go to church with, are angry with. Or maybe you don't. Maybe I'm just weird, but there are only certain people I want to see in certain situations. The most rare to me are the people I can be sad with. I don't necessarily mean to weep to and spill my guts, though that's part of it. I mean people I can just sit with and it's okay if I don't want to talk and it's okay if I do; people who make me feel okay, people I can not think around, who can be the human equivilant of driving; people who can make me smile; people who don't try to make every minute together be about SOMETHING, be full of activity--they don't mind if I come over just so I can not be at home, they'll keep doing their own thing while giving me someplace to be. I LOVE home, I love being home, I always have. But it's also the place where you hide in your room in the dark, sleep too long, eat too much and wallow in sadness. Sometimes going home just feels like giving up. Tonight was one of those nights. But here I am. Where are my Okay People? I have them, they exist, but they're not here anymore. I hate talking on the phone, it would only make me feel worse. I could write to them, but it would only be a minor relief. I need to be with them physically. I wish I had them back.

IIIIIII Am the Chaaaaaampion....OF THE WOOOORLD!

I have just completed what is perhaps my greatest contribution to the art world yet. What started out as a simple "bon voyage" card to a friend who is headed off to China became a comic strip wherein Mike Mignola's Amazing Screw-On Head fights the zombie of Chairman Mao. I am an artistic and comic genius. Rarely do I impress myself, normally I loath everything I create, but today I set my self-deprecation aside to say "I frickin ROCK."

And if you haven't seen "The Amazing Screw-On Head" you need to go find a copy of the DVD as well as of the comic book. They are profoundly absurd and profoundly life-changing. It's my new test of friendship. If you don't like it, I may just have to sever ties...

WTF, Blog site?

Um, I feel like when you format something it should remain the same when you post it. Not add 50,000 extra spaces.

Do You Want Me To Go Mom Them?

I have returned from choir tour. I have survived choir tour. Well, technically I returned from choir tour on Friday but I'm fighting mental jet lag. I'm done being physically tired (and very close to being sick...NOOOOOO!) but my brain still doesn't know how to think (to those of you who wittily added, "Does it ever?" I say, "Shut up.")

So last year tour was, probably, the worst 10 consecutive days of my life. I was scared out of my mind having it be my first tour planned top to bottom, not knowing what to do while on it, problem solving, every time I ran into a problem I felt horrible (since I hate myself, y'know), I was stressed and freaked out and didn't get much comfort from the fact that I was being ignored by my then boyfriend, it was an all around thrill ride.

This year the tour company did most of the planning, I just went along for the ride and to do random stuff that came up. We were in California for two days. It was fine, nothing special. And then it was time to fly to Guatemala. Guatemala City was....I don't know. It was fine as cities go, there were stores and restaurants and people and hotels and such, but it was so dirty. So much dirt and exhaust in the air, Jessie was basically allergic to the town. We went to the city of Antigua and I loved it:

There was practiacally a church on every block and they were wonderful. Then on to Costa Rica. We were in San Jose, Monteverde, Arenal, heck I can't even remember. I went horseback riding, swam in a waterfall (well, the little pond under the waterfall), went hiking, ziplining, so many things...

I SWAM HERE!

GIANT PLANTS!

The hotels in Monteverde and Arenal were awesome, we went swimming in a pool that had a swim up bar with underwater stools, we did a synchronized swimming routine (that's right!), I went to Mass and got kissed on the cheek by an old man, and I actually remembered to do sketches while I was there (good art major, good girl!). I petted fuzzy catapillars, saw Quetzals and tiny toucans, chased moths out of my room and saw monkeys on the side of the road.

I'd give tour a thumbs up.

That picture was on a wall in Costa Rica. It has nothing to do with anything except hilarity.