Things that are okay for you to know.

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 2/15/2007 | Permalink | Comments

My pretty, pretty ring... it is my Grandmother's ring, and it is exactly how it was when she wore it - I didn't even need to have it sized! I'm getting used to wearing it now - although it's still slightly forced to wear it all the time - like when I wash my hands, or put on makeup. But, I will eventually become completely used to it... or at least that's what they tell me. :)

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 2/15/2007 | Permalink | Comments

So, the story goes: I was given a new camera by my parents for Christmas, and it's very posh. It took me a while to adjust to the habit of actually taking pictures, or bringing my camera with me to do so.

So... I'm getting better. And, Josiah also made the camera software work for me... so now I can share! Yay!

Like I said, I split up the picutres between the two blogs... I thought that I would start this one off with San Francisco pictures from Christmas.

Thanks for the camera Mom and Dad!!

Here is Mom, at "Plouf" (a restaurant downtown San Fran.)

Here is my Dad, close to the end of the trip... that right there is a Cream Cheese Poundcake... yuuuummmm!!!

Back at "Plouf" - but this time it's Josiah! That in front of him is a big bowl of mussels... it is the Plouf specialty. They are delicious.

Aaaaannnnddd... now together at Plouf!

The Christmas Tree... I took it up close because I was messing with my new camera skills. What do you think? I thought it was nice. And, by the way... my Mom's tree always looks amazing.

She will probably despise this picture... but, this is my Mom watching some Tivo (probably.) But, I like the picture. To me, it just looks like my Mom.

Now it seems that Mom has a little Tivo friend... Josiah jumping in on the fun.

The TITANIC!!! Well, a replica, anyway. AND... an amazing exhibit that you don't see in this picture. Very cool - lots of artifacts recovered, and a big block of ice so that you could get a feeling for how cold the water was, and they had rooms and hallways made up to look exactly like the real ship. In fact, they even did accurate sounds depending upon where you were. For example: if you were in the "3rd class" bunk, you heard the whirring of the power lines and plumbing above the beds that would have been constant on the actual boat. Very cool exhibit. And, it is coming to Denver as well... for all of you history geeks out there! I really liked it... but I must of come on the wrong day because I didn't see a single picutre or anything of Kate Winslett or Leonardo.... WTF?

:)

These are my tired feet... my back was very difficult the time that I was there. Those poor feet! (Don't worry... they were already shopping earlier in the day before they were too tired.)

And then there was two! Two tired little feet! But.. aaawww... look - even our shoes are in love!

OK - there are the San Fran Christmas pictures... now... work your way over to the other blog for some more FUN tastic photos from the last few weeks in Denver!

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 1/19/2007 | Permalink | Comments

Just to force you towards my new blog (so that you can add it to your "favorites) - I am splitting up the picutres into two blogs.

Heh, nanner, nanner. To see the other picutures - look in the "links" section of this blog (or the most previous post.)

Pictures!

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 1/19/2007 | Permalink | Comments

I have a new blog, in addition to this one... I have the link under my "links section."

Or - you can get there by clicking here.

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 1/10/2007 | Permalink | Comments

Well... I guess I'll just start with....

1) Okay, so we had this blizzard... here is a picture that I found of Denver International Airport - it is a side-by-side of "normal" vs. "blizzard" - it is looking down from the sky...

Pretty cool, yes? Okay, moving on - lots of stuff to cover here...

2) Then, we finally made it to California for Christmas! (I don't have picutres yet, unfortunately... but they will be forthcoming. I got a new camera for Christmas - I just haven't actually moved them from the camera to the computer yet. Sorry!) But, I found this really weird Christmas card from 1895... actually, it's the weirdest thing I've ever seen...

HUH? Yeah - Merry Christmas?
Whatever.

So, while we were in California - James Brown died... and Michael Jackson went to his funeral... and made for some creepy photos that took place at such a sad event...

Now see... if this was say, a family member, or, you know... just somebody
not wearing sunglasses... it wouldn't strike me as creepy. He just kind of makes it that way.

Okay... so, it's obvious here that I am not the only one thinking these things. No, no... that is a look that says, "That bitch is cra-zy..."

3) Oh, and then... I found this news statement come up....

"The FDA has released a report that deems meat and dairy from cloned cows safe for human consumption. The agency is soliciting your comments over the next 90 days, and will make a final decisoin on the matter shortly thereafter."

I don't know, say what you want... it just don't seem right. Laaawd... it does not seem right.

4) Then, I came across some much more uplifting news...

Click HERE to read about the man in this picture, and the really, really, really nice thing that he did. (Oh - and I'm not being sarcastic here.)

5) Vacation was over, and we went home.

6) I have been insanely busy, and trying to stay rested... I haven't even downloaded my new Christmas pictures yet! I mean... my god!

7) I created a "sister" blog to this one... after one of Josiah's blog posts got a scathing comment, I decided that I would keep this one for all the same stuff I always put on here. But then, I would have one that was just a little bit "grittier." Not THAT much grittier... but, let's just say this. I wanted a venue to post a really funny video that went hand-in-hand with Josiah's "Dick in a box" video-post. So... if you are not offended by Saturday Night Live, or by slightly cheeky behavior... then you would like it. AND - just for your information... my Mother will enjoy BOTH blogs.... thank you very much!

So - I'm putting the link to it with my other links... don't forget to check it out. I already have tons of material ready for it... I just have to get it up. But, I won't neglect this one either. Both will live on! Just think of it as TWICE the entertainment (to those of you who think my sense of humor is both cheeky AND fun AND enjoyable.) AND - there will be no loss of entertainment to those that would rather stick with the mild version of this sassy lady. Any way you like it, people. Now that's manners. :)

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 1/10/2007 | Permalink | Comments

Although I do not recall the exact age, I do remember having a distinct moment when I uttered the words, "I am so stressed out..." - and for the first time, I truly understood what those words really meant. No longer was it just a catch phrase, or an attempt to identify with more mature life experiences and emotions - from that point forward, it had meaning. Of course, this also gave way to me "experiencing" other phrases like "fried" or "hanging on by a limb." The next step after that was when I truly came full-circle; I became the link between my own childhood, and adulthood... when I let myself reach the point of such exhaustion, that I immediately understood the phenomenon of the tired kid crying for no reason - they are so exhausted that they literally don't know what else to do but just start crying like a baby!

As enlightening as these fun little experiences were... I hit a new distinct moment today.

It went something like this: I am just FRIED by the end of the day... mentally, I have nothing left. I haven't spoken to anybody all day, because I have been so busy just frying myself into oblivion via work, and additionally, via an excessive amount of brain-frying communication with my boss. So, I decide I just want to complain. I just want to bitch, and moan, and vent - and I want someone to just listen to it without interjecting stupid advice, or... well, I just wanted to vent okay? So, I go through the list of people I could call, and it occurs to me that I have no good options available. Why? Because EVERYBODY is fried... so boo hoo! But I didn't give up hope yet... I called my parents thinking, "they are my parents - they will listen to me." Well, as it turns out, my parents are fried too! What?!?

Yes, that is correct. EVERYBODY is fried, stressed, feeling bad, feeling sick, having a crisis, etc, etc, etc...
You know - I can remember a time when my world seemed like the biggest frying-pan of all in comparison with the people I knew. Well, as it turns out... EVERYBODY GREW UP! And, as a result, it is not even fun to mindlessly vent anymore because considering the current situation of EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE - it seems that venting has more in common with gloating now a days.

I mean, think about it... you are stressed, tired, sick, horrible in general - and someone starts venting to you. Somehow, it has become less about being a "shoulder to lean on" by listening to the venting. NOW... the reaction has changed to something like "Are you serious? THAT is what you are whining about? You think your problems are so great? OOOOoooohh.... you're SO important with your BIG problems!"

See what I mean? Much more gloat than vent.

Of course, this theory is completely based on the fact that everyone is stressed, grouchy, and feels like crap. I suppose it would be appropriate to exclude those rays-of-sunshine that are out there running around listening to others vent.

A-ha! You know why these people (that I am excluding) exist as they do? Because they're getting paid to listen... it's called therapy!

Whatever - I know I'm grouchy right now... I won't argue that. However, my point is that the older you get, the more that you kind of just have to "shut up and deal with it." Some people might call that maturity. Well, I'm grouchy and tired... so I think it stinks! So... so, there!

Good night loves... happy sleeping!

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 12/13/2006 | Permalink | Comments

My Dad is okay - he just called me on his own after his surgery. He has to spend the night... I wish that I was there.

If I was there, I would bring in "Stripes" and watch it with him until he fell asleep. (Which would probably be pretty fast, actually.) I love that movie becuase my Dad thinks it's funny, and because I have always thought that Harold Ramis looks exactly like my Dad when he was younger. Plus, they both have this kind of quiet, smart, dry sense of humor. In truth, I have always loved "Stripes" because of the similarities - and, I feel like I'm watching my Dad during his own stint in the army (minus the Bill Murray antics, of course.)

I saw a commercial when I was younger that posed the question, "At what age are you old enough to hold your father's hand again?" At the time, I was young enough that I didn't really know... And, although there may not be a standard answer to that question - I know now that if I was there, I would place my hand on top of his hand without so much as a thought.

I know he doesn't need me there... he has my Mom...

Maybe, though, I just wanted to be there.

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 12/11/2006 | Permalink | Comments

I have been reading a blog for a couple of months now, that I absolutely love...

It belongs to a famous person, and I found out about it through a gossip site that mentioned it. On the blog, this person knew she had been "found out" - but she continued to write, regardless. I don't want to just give away her identity, because I don't ever want her to stop writing... but if you ever really want to know, I'll tell you "offline." :)

Anyway... here is her blog - the pseudo-anonymous Hollywood Farm-Girl.

She is way down-to-earth - and I look forward to updates constantly. I wish that her blog took comments so that I could tell her how great I think she is!

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 12/11/2006 | Permalink | Comments

It has been awhile... that is for certain. I have wanted to blog, to talk out loud through my more eloquent (than speaking) written words. But... for whatever reason, when I would take out my computer - I just couldn't make my fingers move through a complete sentence... let alone, an entire blog.

I think that so many things happened, that there was just no way to include them all. Plus, I'm much more into my written journal these days. Maybe my time has been too life changing - and it felt too private to share. Or, maybe... just too precious to share.

On the happier side of things - it is extremely close to Christmas vacation. I decorated my little studio apartment with Josie, and I made sure to take pictures. Again, I've been meaning to post them... but everything just keeps getting in the way. Things that are much too serious kept creeping up, and I just didn't feel like sharing my little pictures of joy right away. But, now I would love to share them - because it is close enough to the holiday that I'm ready to concentrate on that. I'll keep my written book for the things that carry worry, etc... but I will share these pictures with you - because they make me feel comfortable, and happy.

Okay, then... first of all, I bought lights to string up wherever I could in this tiny little place. Here is the first of the studio-sized deco pictures:

Then, I had to get a miniature tree... and when I saw this tree, I knew that it was the one:

Now, the important thing to notice about this tree, is that it is a "Barbie" tree; it is pink and sparkly, and all of the ornaments have pictures of Barbie... check it out:

It is sooooooo Barbie, in fact, that when we put it its vase - we also had to hang a descriptive sign:

To translate for the blurry picture - "A Christmas tree to promote unreasonable standards of beauty and body-shape for girls. Love, Barbie XXOO"

It should also be noted, that to match the Barbie glamour, we had to surround the bottom of the tree with a feather boa. Then, as an ode to Smidgen, we had to put a little Santa-chihuahua underneath it as well.

And, of course, we had to have miniature stockings... they match the miniature budgets that we have prepared for Christmas. :) We've got one for Josie, and for myself:

And - because she can't have anything so plain... this one is Smidgen's:

We also, in the spirit of 5-year-olds across the country, put up a "Countdown Calendar" for us to mark off. However, unlike the 5-year-olds... we're just counting down to vacation... not Christmas, itself. Plus, it made good use of the last month left on my Roller Derby calendar:

Ooooooh, I can't wait until vacation time.. DECEMBER 22ND! I must also point out that during this Christmas decorating gala that we had... there was big-time nerdiness going on. Yep... we totally even listened to Christmas music while we decorated.

Of course, once the place was decorated to the best of my budget... we had to act like idiots for a little while in front of the camera. Why? Well... I don't know why... but I do know that it was fun. :)

So... that's all for the deco - and the fun to be had during the deco! And, I'm glad that I finally took the time to post the pictures. There is just so much happening right now - and these pictures make me smile.

Maybe when I come out of the intense things that are happening behind the scenes, I can blog about them. But, I don't know... it just seemed more appropriate to post happy pictures, and smiling faces... because that is what makes me so grateful to survive all of the big, the small, the intense, the sad, the time passing by... so, in a way - this post was just necessary, now, wasn't it?

I look happy in these pictures... we both do. To be able to capture a moment that like - it is the closest thing to being able to hang onto the moment, even once its passed. Genuine grins are never found in portraits... they are only found in candids, in passing.

I love the people around me, so much.

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 12/11/2006 | Permalink | Comments

I finally got my new phone today... I have joined the pink-razr-phone ranks. I am also feeling especially spiffy because I have a Blue Tooth earpiece - and I love it. Even though, I have indefinitely become one of those crazy people that I see walking down the street - appearing to talk to themselves.

But whatever.

At least it's pink.

ALSO....

Started a new knitting project for a friend that has not-so-subtly demaded that he get a scarf, compliments of my knitting efforts.
No problem - I have started it. A very cool, dark forest, green wool - and it makes a spectacular project!

(For the knitting nerds out there - I am doing alternating blocks throughout the scarf; 13 rows knit, then 13 rows stockinette, and so on..)

Here's my little preview...

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 11/23/2006 | Permalink | Comments

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 11/23/2006 | Permalink | Comments

This picture alone is torture.

Fire your political consultants, hire Britney Spears' people - I am still in shock at how quickly they turned her image arouned. Plus - they would already be used to working with someone with your, uh, "skill level..."

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 11/20/2006 | Permalink | Comments

Well, even though I feel like the most disgusting person alive, today... I will post these little photos from the fashion show that I was in.

AND - I don't necessarily think that these are the best photos I've ever seen... but it's all in the name of fun, huh?



The main thing that I don't like about it? The way that they did the makeup on my eyebrow makes it look like I have a birthmark or something on my eyebrow.

But at least, well... I had some decent cleavage?

Plus - they were going for "greaser" - and I think that I look more like a Geisha. But that's just me. Whatever... we'll just chalk it up to a case of playing dress up

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 11/20/2006 | Permalink | Comments

I can feel the skin
on top of the skin
weight on weight
upon itself

One cookie
Two cookie
Three cookie
Four?

What once was cramps
was bloat
was that time
of the month

Not a drop to shed
following...
and I'm plump
and round

Smooth maybe to some
but not when you
are used to only
the bones

Used to hips so sharp
they just wait
to puncture that
fragile frame

Not so fragile
Not so sharp
Not so soft
(as in beautiful)

Just solid weight
holding down
the best of me
what used to be

I only grow
and grow
and grow
and grow...

Posted by Here I am... rock you like a hurricane. at 11/20/2006 | Permalink | Comments