Approaching 2008

To me there is nothing more comical than seeing a large, black and white great dane on a long red leash dragging three children down the street. The sun breaking through my tiny closet window and waking me with its warm assurance that today is going to be an amazing day. Hearing my childhood friends laugh so uncontrollably hard. Waking up to the smell of my mum making pancakes and mint hot chocolate. Trying to make my cats knock over, or at least climb the Christmas tree. Reading book after book after book on a lazy, rainy day. Watching "summer TV" (the price is right, jeopardy, wheel of fortune) with my grandparents, which they recorded on a video tape...not tivo. Hearing my favourite artist-that-no-one-really-knows-about playing in a public place for the first time. Singing along to anything I please while driving the three hours back to Walla Walla from Portland. Turning up the music really, really, ridiculously loud and cleaning house when I'm home alone. Buying people I love small things that make them really happy. Walking places. Driving in snow, but not ice. Sitting in deep-ish snow, but being perfectly warm and dry at the same time. Doing slightly embarrassing things such as dropping my cell in my drink... and later having a good laugh. Occasional long talks on the phone. The beauty of unlimited text messaging. The smart, witty people in my life. The smell of color when walking into a room with two 6-color presses. Having my nails perfectly painted red. Hearing almost any kind of live music... southern folk rock included. Making dinner and having a few good friends over to eat everything. Escaping big social gatherings without getting caught. Finding a sand dollar completely intact on the beach, the morning after a big storm. Tide pooling. Jumping and playing in the cold, salty waves. Seeing someone blow glass so perfectly. Wi-Fi. Run-ons, and incomplete sentences. A long list of simplicities I can't imagine having not experienced.

Her Space Holiday makes me wish I could write. Anything. 'A Single Hand' speaks volumes. Xoxo, Panda is really great too. Pretty much in love with both of these related groups.

Tree Wave surprised me a little. Its not typically the end result you would expect from a bunch of old video game sounds mixed together. A very raw but refined cacophony of sound that could almost be postal service sounding but in a very different way, and with less vox. Beautifully rustic in an electronic grunge sort of way that just drew me in. Hear 'C64 Data'.

I haven't been searching out music lately, with my computer dying and all. Life has been hard. I have finally condescended to using a PC... we are becoming re-acquainted until Monday when my new computer arrives. Merry Christmas to me! Hope your holidays have been fab and have a happy New Year! I can't believe it's already almost 2008. Crazy life.

Yellow Converse?

This is the first second I've had time to even think of anything other than school. I'll try to sum up the past month or so of my life. I had several near death experiences—none of them fatal for obvious reasons. I've listened to some good music. I saw band of horses in Seattle during Thanksgiving break. Had a mini reunion with the people I went to Jr. academy with. So strange to see them all.

I am feeling a little lost with my plans for next year. I'm at the point where if I don't take certain classes next quarter, and then I decide to not leave this school, I would really be in trouble as far as trying to graduate from here. It is just really scary to think about the changes that will happen this next year. I will have to leave my home here. I will end up crashing at my mum's house... trying to find a new job, and commuting until I can find someplace to live. It's totally different from what I have experienced the past year. I don't know. I've got no idea where I'll end up. I am scared, but I think it will be really good for me. I'm just in the freak out/reality is hitting me stage... still frightening, nevertheless.

On my playlist this week:
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War (whole album—each song is so different and good)
Palpitation - 'too soon to give up'
James Figurine - '55566688833' (I love the lyrics)
Tegan and Sara - 'where does the good go' and The Con (whole album)
Sebear - 'cat piano'
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin (am in love with the whole album and can't stop playing it)
Kate Nash - 'merry happy'
Jaymay - 'blue skies'
Headphones - 'i never wanted you'
Wilco - 'what light' and 'on and on and on'
Efterklang - 'mirador' (have stumbled across them several times and it just clicked)
The Radio Dept. - 'always a relief'
The Weepies - 'gotta have you' (best song ever... i have loved it for a while)

I had a dream last night that I received a package in the mail. My friends were at my house when I opened it. There was an iPhone inside, a pair of yellow converse, and some other stuff I can't remember. The package was addressed to "Heather Modern" which is not my name... but usually the post office doesn't mess up that bad, they just mess up addresses... right? I thought I would keep the iPhone, but then I looked at the shoes. They were yellow—a color I like, but can never wear or I look dead, and they were a size 6. Not my size. From that I somehow concluded that it would be wrong for me to keep the iPhone, and that someone would miss it if I kept it... that the package was actually for some other girl named Heather Modern. Strangest dream I've had in a long time. Interpretations? Anyone?

Tri-Trip Playlist

It's been a little while hasn't it. November 5, 2007—I'm getting my priorities straight. I've been feeling in a rut for a while now. Not taking time for myself has taken a toll. Realizing this, I have been fighting to get my life back. You know it is sad when people ask how you are, what's new in your life, and all you can respond with is how work is going. Creativity had become almost an impossible feat for me. Realizing this was half of it.

The past week or two I have been trying to get myself on a schedule. Waking up early, taking time for myself, for a relationship with my God, and taking the time to clear my head before each day starts has helped. Going to bed before 11 p.m. has become an important aspect of my new schedule. The days are going by fast, but I feel so much better. I am able to think straight, set my priorities and goals. I am realizing what I need to do, where I need to be.

I am not necessarily happy here at this school, but I'm here for the rest of this year so I am going to make the best of it. After this year I have another 2.5 quarters worth of credits until I could graduate. Even if I were to stay here, I don't think I would have made the connections I need to make to get a semi-successful first job. I am not getting the best education, or even a satisfactory education within my major here. I am really starting to look at transferring to Portland State or UW or someplace cheaper, with slightly better academics, and where I could make connections in a city of my choice. I might have to go to school a bit longer to meet requirements, but I wouldn't be going as deep into debt as if I would if I stayed here. I am school shopping. I work too hard to get such a lack-luster education with not so good grades. Going to a less expensive school would lessen the stress I often feel. I wouldn't have to work quite as hard, and if I did, I could at least start saving some money or paying off loans.

Driving to tri-cities and talking with a good friend about her life really helped me put mine into perspective. I feel so tied down right now—with my senior project, work, and school. Things will be changing. I just need to focus on that. This has been a huge rant. I just wanted you to know what is going on.

In other news, my dad has been having heart problems. This past week has been a little trying on me. I lost it while working on my action script the other day. I really wanted to burn my book! It would have made me pretty happy. Anyways, things with my dad will hopefully be okay. He took a lot of tests this past week, and his heart is clear, not diseased. It is just really weak from long term exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide at his work—which he refuses to leave. I had a really long talk with him the other day. I got a bit frustrated with him. He is a dreamer, which is good, but I am too much of a realist. At some point in the conversation he said that rather than leave his job to get a safer, higher paying job, he wants to become a mountain tour guide, and a ski instructor. He does not ski, and his heart is not strong enough to do the hiking thing. I get really upset when he goes off on these impossible, unrealistic tangents. I really worry about him. I do love him. Please keep him in your prayers.

We made a great playlist for our tri-trip. Here's what I have been stuck on music-wise this past week:

Travis - 'my eyes'
Mario - 'how do i breathe'
The Fratellis - 'chelsea dagger'
Metro Station - 'shake it'
Sigur Ros - 'saeglopur'
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 'the skin of my yellow country teeth'
The Feeling - 'love it when you call'
Nelly Furtado - 'promiscuous'
CSS - 'alala' and 'music is my hot hot sex'
Anti-Anti - 'snowden'
New Young Pony Club - 'ice cream'
Telépopmusik - 'breathe' (radio edit)
Radiohead - 'idioteque'
Patrick Wolf - 'the magic position'
Regina Spektor - 'fidelity'
Art Brut - 'bang, bang, rock and roll'
Daft Punk - 'one more time'
The Decemberists - 'summersong'
Bishop Allen - 'rain'
Paper Route - 'are we all forgotten'

Enjoi.

Hung Up

Hanging up clothes has to be my least favourite part of cleaning my room. I don't enjoy sorting out the "hang up" clothes from my clean laundry, or the tedious act of affixing my clothes to hangers. Putting away shoes comes in at a close second.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. One way to tell is to look at my room. If there are clothes everywhere, magazines scattered about, and a lot of shoes strewn about, it's a pretty safe bet that the week has been hell. I really need to find a hobby soon. I think I am going to lose my mind if I keep it up. I love what I do for work, but I need a break.

My family really needs prayer right now—my dad is having some serious health problems related to an on the job sort of injury. I'm really worried. Hopefully things will be alright in the end.

Mid-terms are over and I seem to still be passing all my classes nicely. The principles of advertising test didn't rape my too badly. I was really worried after I ended up having 12 pages of notes to study. It's really really cold outside and walking to class without a coat is impossible.

I baked a perfect cake, but I f-ed it up when I was frosting it. In other news, I finally got door handles put back on my car. It took me like a year and a half to get those fixed. I just want to sleep. A lot. I can't wait for Thanksgiving break!

Inebriated? I think not...

About a month ago I was out late at night and decided I wanted an apple. I was down town and thought I would just drop by the ghetto Safeway and check out their fruit. Innocent enough, right?
I walked in, grabbed an apple, and bought it. I then got in my car and proceeded to drive home. The street I was driving on was not on my usual route home, and as I came to a stoplight, I realized I was in the left turn only lane. I wanted to go straight, so looking around as to make sure that no one was around, I pulled sharply into the adjoining through traffic lane. Mission accomplished.

As I advanced further on my journey home, I pulled into a left turn lane at a following stoplight. I put my blinker on, and when the light turned green I made a left turn. At which point red and blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror.

The officer took his time in coming up to my window. In my mind I had done absolutely no wrong. He confronted me, and asked if I knew why he had pulled me over. I didn't. He then proceeded to tell me he had reason to believe from my driving that I was inebriated. Shocking. Luckily he didn't breathalyse me because he realized that I was indeed not driving under the influence. He couldn't find anything to give me a ticket for. I had handed him my license and registration the moment he had walked up but I couldn't find my insurance card for the life of me. He ended up giving me a ticket for not having my insurance. I was supposed to go and show my insurance at the municipal court and the fine would be rescinded.

I made several attempts to go to the court, but they were closed both times. Finally I made it in on a Friday within the 30 days of getting the fine. I thought I had 30 days, but it turns out I only had 15 to go in and show my insurance. The fine had doubled and was now $257. I almost choked... I really don't have that kind of money laying around... at least not for tickets. I talked to the judge and he said that all he could do was reduce my fine to $140. I paid my fine.

A couple days later I get a notice in the mail that my license is being suspended unless I prove I have purchased a certain kind of insurance. Turns out that because I'm a registered Oregon driver that I have to get "high risk" insurance because I am now a "high risk" driver. My insurance rate went up. I freaked out, but then I found out that it was just temporary. This was all very frustrating for me because I have a good driving record. I have never driven without insurance, never had a lapse in coverage. I've been insured with the same company for the entire time I've been driving. We have history...

... and all because I forgot to grab my insurance one night... and then I forgot to go show it to them within 15 days. It is irritating to be fined for doing absolutely nothing wrong. I can speed all I want, but if I'm ever doing something unintentionally wrong, I will pay the price for it. Just my luck. If anything, I will just drive more carefully. My bank account hurts. :)

I've been listening to Madonna's Confessions Tour album non-stop for the past two weeks... I need to move on. It is hot though. Just a heads up—it's addictive.

I Heart Yard

School is fun. I'm currently in a very exclusive relationship... with my books. Hopefully this will pay off more than all the other romantic endeavors I've attempted in the past. I can tell we're meant to be. :D

It's cold outside. I bought a jacket for $70. Probably not worth it, but i was rather taken with it. It made me very happy when I put anything on with it. I love fall so much. I do enjoy the warmth of a summer's day, but I love love love a crisp fall day. To be able to put on a long-sleeved shirt, a jacket, and a scarf is pure bliss. The leaves are starting to fall slowly. Yesterday after I finished with all my classes and work I raked the leaves in my yard into unruly piles and attempted to dispose of them. Not so easy. Apparently they are really hard to get into bags. Who knew?

While out raking leaves and listening to my iPod, I contemplated how lucky I am to live in a house. Most people would consider it bothersome to be outside raking leaves or mowing the lawn. To be honest, I like it a lot. I almost find it a privilege rather than a chore. I've never lived in a house or had a yard until now. It's an adventure for me.

I am thinking of painting my room. I really want to paint it a very faint turquoise color. I am trying to weigh out whether or not it is worth it to paint my room, because I will have to paint it back to white when I move out. I'm hoping to stay here until I graduate. If I were to stay here, it would be worth it to paint, but if not, not so much. I'm in a crafty mood.

Today I opened a magazine and almost cried. I realize where I want to be, what I really love, and what I want to be doing career-wise. I forget how much I really love designing stuff and doing more creative work. I get buried under boring projects at work that take absolutely no thought or creativity to put together. Even if I did expend energy to improve the projects I'm given, my boss would still want the "ugly" version of what was requested. I almost forget that there are better things out there. I can't wait to get a job where I can do a little bit more than make forms all day. Then again, I suppose I still wouldn't be satisfied. That's okay. I have my whole life ahead of me to do amazing things!

faith + portuguese

So tired. Wednesday was the beginning of the mask photo shoots... sure I'm not taking pictures, but I have to be there. I'm so tired. I help out with the mask for most of the day, and then I go to my office and work my regular 30 hours a week. My room is a wreck at home. Clothes are everywhere. This week has been quite a challenge. I'm relieved that school is starting tomorrow.

I am so glad that everyone is back here in Walla Walla. I keep seeing friends everywhere and it's so great to catch up with all of you. I'm so happy that I my registration has been finalized. Friday night I came home and I checked to see what my down-payment to get into school this quarter was. I just about died when I saw it. I really felt completely hopeless. I stayed up another couple of hours worrying. I called my mom and we prayed about it. I don't know why it is that I have so little faith. God has been working miracles for my family for years, and yet I still never believe. I am so caught up in this world. I'm used to taking care of myself, doing it all myself, taking on the world, just all by myself. Even the littlest bit of faith can do wonders. We've been told this, time and again as children growing up in the church. Have faith.

As horrid as it may sound, I need times like this to show me my lack of faith. I need a slap in the face to recognize my error. To realize that I need to have more faith. There is no way that my faith will grow if I do not at first notice a lack of it. A verse comes to mind. I don't know where it is found. To be honest, I don't really read my Bible. I know I should. I make excuses of not having the time, etc. Believe me, I really want to read it. Anyways, a verse comes to mind that goes something like this:

"I rejoice in weakness and in hard times, for in those times I am made strong through Christ." 2 Cor. 12:10

I looked it up on google to see where it was found, but this is in my words and how I have interpreted it. Not many verses in the Bible have stuck in my head, but this one will always have it's place. I find it applicable in just about any situation. With school starting up, me taking 16 credits, working 15 hours a week, and being in charge of my finances, this verse will be often thought of.

On a lighter note (literally—but not intended to be taken as humorous) I have been listening to some fun music from the soundtrack of the movie Thicker Than Water. Most of it is Jack Johnson, of which I'm not really a huge fan of, but there is this artist called Smoke City. There is one song on the soundtrack called 'Underwater Love'. It is gorgeous. It is sung in both English and Portuguese. I've often heard that Italian is the most beautiful language in the world, but in my humble opinion, Portuguese is the most beautiful language I have ever heard anyone utter. Smoke City had a few singles released in the late 90's and I believe one last album released in 2000. They are from the U.K. but have Brazilian influences. So beautiful.

As for other recording artists that sing in foreign languages, I really enjoy the group Brazilian Girls. The vocalist can sing in at least five different languages including English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. I really enjoyed their first self-titled album the most, but their second album 'talk to la bombe' also has a grungy, coarse charm about it. I recommend both.

the past forever...

Things I've been up to: Nothing. Well, actually something. Last weekend I was lazy and cleaned my house. I refused to drive to portland even though I had tickets to a concert. Sunday I woke up and went grocery shopping. I happened to run into this girl from my work who asked if I was going to the wedding. I forgot that this girl I work with is getting married, and I had previously said that if I was in town, I'd make an appearance. I decided that I'd be nice and go. I dragged Dennis as a 'people watching' accomplice and had a better time of it than I would have alone.

After the wedding I decided firmly that I couldn't/wouldn't stay home when I had tickets to a fun concert and that I would drive 500 miles... well not that many, but a significant amount of miles to see Wolf Parade. I drove the three and a half hours. It was a nice drive. I had time to think, which is a luxury these days. Also had time to shuffle through the new music on my iPod. Some good stuff.

I'm pretty much in love with Bishop Allen, Band of Horses, and some album called The Swell Season, by some people who I can never remember their names. I love driving for long periods of time after I've gotten new music. It gives me time to listen to it all and filter through what I like and don't like.

The concert was great fun. I got there earlier and heard the first band... I wasn't impressed so I left and ate some dinner at Whole Foods, and then went to Powell's for a while. I could live in there. So many books... so little time. :) By then, the first band was done and I went to hear this other band called Holy F*ck... I didn't think I'd like them due to their lack of taste in name, but I enjoyed their fresh beats and great... well, it was electronic and I'm not entirely sure that I know how they were making some of the noises that they were... but it was very good. I liked it a lot. This one guy had this thing that was like a piano crossed with a trumpet... and instead of blowing into it, he blew into this tube that was attached to it... I can't explain it. It was something to behold. Very fun.

Finally wolf parade came out and played. I was in love. They played a bunch of new stuff that I hadn't really heard much of yet, but they mixed in enough of 'apologies to the queen mary' to please me and most of the crowd. I was wearing flip-flops and almost died when kids around us started to jump around... apart from some of the claustrophobic feelings I experienced, I had a great time. For the encore they played my favourite song, I'll believe anything... I loved it. I was deaf afterwards, but it was definitely worth driving there and back and losing sleep over.

Work this week was awful. Somehow it's Friday and it's all over. I'm so relieved. Neighbors moved into the house next to mine. Now I'm living between my boss and the lady who used to be my dean... life should be interesting.

I've been freaking out about school starting in like 10 days because I got a financial audit from the Student Finance Dept. but it looks like everything is in order so I should be attending yet another year of college... shame it wont be my last. I have an extra quarter, and then I have to come back for 2 upper division classes... how does this happen? I don't know.

Latest music I have come to love: 'photograph' by Eagle Seagull... I like them... a lot. Almost as much as I love New Young Pony Club... but not quite as much. :)


Ps: I finally cleaned up that bike behind my house. It's hot. I want to ride my bicycle, but the breaks don't work and it needs more air in the tires. I am going to wait a while before I fix it further. It is clean and free of spiders for now. So cute!!!

Behind My House

Behind my house is an alley. There is a barn on the opposite side, and leaning against it, almost in the middle of the alley, is the most gorgeous blue bike. Lately when going to bed I have found myself sleeplessly staring at the ceiling, thinking about the bike. I can see it from my window. I really want to ride it. It has been there all summer. It hasn't moved. It looks like it's been there for even longer than that. I keep on thinking about taking it for a joy ride. When Lindsay gets off work, we might do just that.

Lately I've been trying to figure out what classes I'm going to take after this coming school year. I've got all of them picked. The end is in sight! In a way I'm excited, but it's still over a year away. It seems like it's going to be forever before I'm done. And then what?

My grandpa is going into heart surgery tomorrow. He is 2 months from being 80. I feel like he might die. I know it's a morbid though, but after my grandma died, it just seems like more deaths will follow. I really hope I'm wrong, and that he will recover. It's in God's hands.

Hawthorne is AMAZING!

Last Tuesday was my birthday. This has been the best birthday I have ever had. Thanks to all who made it so amazing! (I had this great surprise garden party last sunday with croquet, boccie ball, great food and my favourite people.) This past weekend I went home to see my family and to go to spend some time in one of my favourite places on earth—Portland, OR.

Natalie and I had intended to go see a show at the Doug Fir, but we were so excited to see each other that we just decided to hang out. We went shopping on Hawthorne at the Red Light, and then went out for food at Pho Van (really great viet place down the street). The food was great as usual. I had something with lime... and vegetables, and then we shared coffee and ginger creme brulée. Probably not the most authentic dessert, but it was very tasty. :)

We woke up sort of early and I was supposed to drive to the church that my grandparents attend. Natalie and I went to get some coffee to wake up and ended up getting caught up in the Hawthorne Street Festival that just happened to be going on... 3 hours later after some intense sale shopping I finally left Portland and headed for home.


Saturday with the fam was fun. My sister got a kitten for her birthday two months ago and it is really cute... it's a long haired calico kitten with really long whiskers. She is very soft and likes to play a lot. My mom is kind of really into animals... and one time she found a mouse in our house. She couldn't bring herself to kill it, but didn't want to let it go because she thought it would get back into our house... so she kept it as a pet. The night I stayed at home, the cats knocked it's cage over and I guess it's running around in our house somewhere. Ahhh... nothing like being home...

... on the other hand, it was fun. I watched Stranger Than Fiction with my sister and she really liked it. We got up early and washed my car together. I really like seeing her. She has really grown up fast. Last time I checked, she was 10 years old.

Fav New Music: Rilo Kiley's new album Under the Blacklight. I would love to tell you which song I like best but at this time I just can't. They're all so good!

The List

Music that could be heard eminating from my room this week...

'Roscoe' — Midlake
'Now Now' — St. Vincent
'Golden Star' — My Brightest Diamond
'She Makes Me Want to' —Aristeia
'Thursday' — Asobi Seksu
'Melody Day' — Caribou
'So Pretty' — Field Music
'Homme' — Brazilian Girls
'Bang Bang, You're Dead' — Dirty Pretty Things
and last but not least, the new UNKLE album 'War Stories'... I like!

Seeing Things

3:25 a.m. I am so tired that I am starting to see things... I swear I saw a spider on the coffee table by my feet like 3 minutes ago. I'm freaking out! I have been staying up pretty late the last few nights working on a couple of small design jobs on the side. Work Work Work... boring.

The other day I went to take some pics for work. I was walking around campus when I saw a large black cloud coming from the CTC. For those of you who are clueless as to what the CTC is, it is the technology building where my dept. is. The place I spend ridiculous amounts of time... from time to time.

I was excited. I thought that Wolfpack Auto was on fire. I didn't think of the consequences, I just had to go and see. I was really hoping that it would be really really on fire and I could take a picture of it... ah the dawn of my photo journalistic career was about to break. (Random narrative that ran in my head at the time.) I was psyched. I took a couple shots of the smoke pouring from the back of the building. I could smell that it was maybe some sort of rubber... maybe attached to a flaming car in the form of tires... or so I hoped.

I rounded the corner to peek into the courtyard. The firemen were lined up against the wall, looking bored. I peered further around the corner of the wall and saw that it was not the roaring blaze of my dreams, but merely a smoldering tire. That's it.

Sometime in August—most likely the weekend of the 17th, I am going home to Salem. I'm so excited! I am planning to visit Natalie in Portland and go to a show at the Doug Fir Lounge on Friday night. Pela is playing. I've never been to the Dough Fir and need a good enough excuse to go. It'll be an extension of my birthday bash... woo! I hate having a summer birthday. Those with summer birthdays get forgotten. We don't get presents from our friends—at least not in college—because everyone is at home, far far away. Ah. Who needs presents. I'm pretty sure I have everything I could ever want right now in my life. Except a macbook pro... and none of my friends/family are buying that for me... so my life is complete. If I could get anything, it would probably not be a thing. I would just like to spend time with my friends, do something fun, eat some good food... I guess this is what you want when you get too old to get presents. I like it.

iPhone—so hot right now!

I didn't write this, but it's so so funny! [taken from crazyapplerumors.com]

Apple’s stock fell sharply today when AT&T announced that in the last two days of the second quarter, the first two days of iPhone sales, it had activated far fewer iPhones than expected. While analysts had expected that around 200,000, AT&T reported only 146,000 iPhones had been activated.

This was not surprising to regular Apple customers, however, who were quickly able to explain away the discrepancy. “Clearly this delay in activation is simply due to iPhone fondling,” said Apple Phone Show host Scott Bourne. According to Bourne and several other experts reporters spoke with, the purchase of an Apple product is almost always followed by a period lasting hours, sometimes days, when the customer sits and simply caresses it.

“It’s how we get to know an Apple product,” said the Chicago Sun-Times’ Andy Ihnatko. “Me, I take the phone off the hook, slip into something a little more comfortable and put on a little Barry White.” Ihnatko said he didn’t personally get around to actually activating his iPhone until five days later. “It was a particularly succulent morsel,” he noted. A poll of 200 hundred iPhone buyers indicated that product groping may indeed be to blame as slow jazz could be heard playing in the background of 75% of those reached.

Like I said. Very Funny!

Doing it up right—or at least a little better

I blog far too much to be stuck with such an ugly myspace blog. I'm through. We're finished. Welcome to my new blog. It will probably undergo more aesthetic changes as I make up my mind. The current look is temporary.

My life has not been as entertaining lately, but I'm sure things will pick up. Right now I am just working. Sleeping. Jogging. Then working more. Repeat repeat repeat.

Sidenote: I never find decent german pop/indie rock that I enjoy... until now. I'm pretty sure that Team Blender is my most fav german band ever. They are from Berlin, but are signed to a swed. label. I love them! The song 'nur wir zwei' (only us two) is my favourite. "Ich hatten deiner hand im meiner..." I like it... I like it a lot!

Sunday Matinee

I watched Transformers today. I really had no desire to see it and had put it off for as long as possible. Friends were going, and it was a matinee... so I justified it in my mind and went.

I liked it. I normally really don't enjoy or seek out these kinds of movies to watch. I really liked the guy's car. Somehow I cried like 3 times in the movie. Robots... or genetically modified machines or whatever they are made me tear up. How does that even happen?! Ugh! I'm such a girl.

A Slight Annoyance

I would consider myself a pretty patient person, but now I'm a bit miffed. As you may know, I blog...and my last 3 blog posts are gone. My heroes are no longer artists, but some bimbo named Jenna something or other...I don't seem to like books, movies, or watching tv. my profile background went from a gorgeous black/grey/w/pretty frames to the myspace default colors of white, grey, orange and blue. My "about me" section was wiped out, and yeah. I am a little annoyed.

Here's my new profile. I'm annoyed that my blogs have individual blocks of white behind them. I want them to have a solid block of white behind all of the blog titles within the pink border. This is me right now. I'm usually much nicer and more interesting. Oh, and my long list of music favs is gone as well. Apparently the only band I like now is air. Sooo not true. Thanks for listening/reading...

—slightly annoyed heather

Took a Trip Down South

I am back from Atlanta. I went to HOW Conference (a design conf.) in Atlanta for a couple of days. It was a fun trip, a great way to finish up this school year. Ben and Josh went too. Between trying to catch up on sleep and parking in down town, I think it was still pretty fun. It was very cool to hear from other designers, see what they have worked on, their process, etc. My mind is a little bit overwhelmed with the plethora of visual stimulants over the past few day. I have so much stuff that I need to look at. I really am too tired to look at it. I just want to be outside and doing something a little more active than sitting through presentations.

We got back to seattle last night. Upon claiming our baggage, we promptly went and found pizza to eat. Quite good. It was really nice to get some sleep last night. The whole east coast/west coast time difference has been really messing me up as of late. I forgot how much I actually like almond butter. Weird, huh... Oh, and I accidentally left my wallet in atlanta, so now I get to go to the dmv and get a new license, and I have to wait to get replacements for my bank cards.... so annoying. Luckily I had my passport with me. I blame it all on seeing a rather attractive book about houses... so hot.

I have been wanting to go to Ikea since I can barely remember... today I finally went. It was amazing. I am pretty sure that I am in love. I bought a small table to use as a desk in my room. I am going to try to put it together tomorrow, seeing as I have nothing better to do these days. Everyone is gone from Walla Walla. It is so empty here. I'm a little sad, but there are still some great people around. I console myself with the thought that most of the people I miss will be back in the fall.

Today on the way driving back from Seattle we (cousin josh and I) took the scenic route past Mt. Reineer. It was so beautiful. The sun was shining, and the remaining snow glistened on the steep slopes. The snow was starting to melt so there were little streams and waterfalls all over the place along the road. The trees were so green, and I could see for miles and miles. An over-all breathtaking experience. The remainder of the drive, we entertained ourselves with crazy 80's kareoke dance parties. I'll admit, it was a bit out of control. We listented to some Boyz to men.. so so so old school!

Anyways, it was a fun trip. I'm glad that I went, and I had a great time with my other two friends that went. I'm glad that we are all safe and back to our homes. I'm excited about this weekend, should be so relaxing.... :D

Helio Sequence is Coming!

Just a heads up to those of you who know of & love The Helio Sequence (from portland) and if you are in the Walla Walla area that they will be playing in Pendleton of all places on May 25 at 8 p.m.

If you haven't heard of/listened to The Helio Sequence, you should. I recommend 'Let it Fall Apart'. However, this is no substitute for seeing them live. I believe tickets are $10 at the door... several of us are already going. if you want to come for some great music, it'd be fun!

-Heather

Because You Need to Know

What's up with nicknames? Why does everyone make up different names for me? Is my given name not good enough? Nicknames are kind of pet names, right? I think they should be reserved for only the very closest of friends, and even then used quite sparingly. Pet names shouldn't be replacing my real first name. If I didn't like my first name, I might encourage the instatement of a nickname for myself to be used at all times, or I would go change my name officially to something I liked better.

I like my name just the way it is. I like my first name and I just want to be called by my first name. If you have been calling me by a nickname and I seem to be okay with it, be warned. I'm really not. I may have just smiled and went along with it for some unknown reason or another. Probably because I am non-confrontational at times. Just a heads up, I really enjoy called Heather. Plain and simple. Nothing more, nothing less. I can live with a few plays off my last name though. I just dont want every person that happens to meet me casually while I'm under my pseudo name "h.b." to call me that as well. People I've met like 3 times have started to call me h.b. and I really hate it. Show some respect, you don't know me well enought to call me by that name. Just call me by my real name. Heather. Honestly, I'm not 5, I'm easy to please and best of all, it's not that hard either.

Mini Spotted Dick

So it's been pretty much forever since I've had the time to blog. It's been months. You would think that something of interest would have happend by now for me to talk about. Nope. I just got back from spring break. I went home for a week and it was pretty exciting. My family was pretty much never home, so I had to find ways of entertaining myself. I was having internet withdrawls, and I finally found free wireless. I read books, did my taxes, fafsa, cooked random food, finally picked out my classes for spring quarter... a little late I know. Nothing too exciting as far as classes go... just Astronomy, pre-calc, ministry of Jesus, and D.I. 3. Good news! I no longer have classes during lunch! I can actually have lunch with my friends w/o feeling guilty for skipping yet another class! That will be great. I also get to sleep in past 9 a.m. ! I'm excited to be back and can't wait to go to class!

Side note: In the movie Bridget Jones's Diary (one of my fav's) Her mom is really into doing what she calls gourmet meals. For her, this means everything in miniature). Bridge's mom askes if anyone someone would like a mini gurkin, and they reply, "no, the mini spotted dick put me over the edge." I always thought that part was funny, but I never knew what spotted dick was. I was shopping in World Market over break with friends, and I found a can labeled "spotted dick in a can." I thought it was hilarious. I forgot my wallet and went back to buy it later, but it was gone.

Spotted Dick is a steamed pudding, containing dried fruit, usually currants. The dessert is especially popular in the United Kingdom, usually served either with custard or with butter and brown sugar. Spotted refers to the currants (which resemble spots) and dick may be a corruption of the word dough. It is also known as Spotted Dog, Plum Bolster and Spotted Richard. (who knew?!)

ok, not that funny.

Different Worlds

Each of us have a world that we live in. I'm not talking about a physical world, like the Earth, but a figurative one. Social worlds, for example. For most of us, one social world is not enough (usually if you are somewhat sanguine like me). Thus, we end up with many good friends, scattered throughout a wide variety of social circles. The trouble lies when your worlds collide.

How do some people have so many friends, and mix them up so effortlessly? I, for one, have friends from all walks of life. I wouldn't even begin to know how to mix all of them. I'd really like to combine my so-called worlds, I just don't know where to start.

Social dynamics. I need to take a course in it.

Like an Animal

why can't people be like animals? It would be bad if they were like sloths. too lazy. bad if they were like tigers/lions/bears... too dangerous. If they were indeed animals, they'd still have all their downfalls, along with their good qualities.

One would at least be able to read them easier.

Acquaintances

Here you thought there'd be this amazing blog... and I'm just going to merely suggest that myspace should give you the choice whether to add someone as a friend or an acquaintance. That way it would be more honest. It would be fun. You could upgrade people from acquaintances to friends and it would be awesome. Maybe they should go as far as adding a category for x-friends... no wait, that's as simple as 'editing' your friends list and hitting remove selected. :)

Just a thought. Oh, Happy Valentines Day btw. Just to let the 'long line of attractive men that are waiting to ask me out on hot dates' know.... I have plans... I'll be slaving fiendishly on the Collegian.

a disclaimer

I'd like to point out that some of the prisoners have been convicted. Most are only held on suspicion of terrorist acts. Only a handful are actually active terrorists. As far as torture goes, there are suspicions that water-boarding is taking place at Guantanamo. If such techniques are used, they are most likely used only on the convicted terrorists to extract much needed information. Whether or not it is right is still up for debate.

Waterboarding consists of immobilizing an individual and pouring water over his face to simulate drowning, which produces a severe gag reflex, making the subject believe his death is imminent while ideally not causing permanent physical damage. According to Republican United States Senator John McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, waterboarding is "very exquisite torture" and a mock execution, which can damage the subject's psyche "in ways that may never heal." [taken from Wikipedia]

The use of this is stricktly forbidden by the U.S. millitary, but that does not apply to the C.I.A.

I'd also like to point out that all of this is ALLEGED information, supposed to be true, but not proven as fact. The only way one can see a clearer picture of what is going on is to read from many sources, on either side. Don't just take my word for any of this. If it provokes you to read more on your own and become more aware of the world around you, that is my intention.

One more question....why the HELL are we still in Cuba? The U.S. views Guantanamo Bay as a sort of lease, while the rest of the world sees it as if the U.S. occupation of Cuba never ended. Just another reason to close down Guantanamo Bay.

a.m. musings on responsibility

Early morning musings on responsibility, choice, and freedom while bidding on a particular ebay listing...

Responsible. Either you are, or you aren't. Does one become known as responsible when they take on many responsibilities? Or does one achieve the title of Responsible upon the completion of those responsibilities taken on?

People in general try to be responsible. As children, we have few responsibilities. Cleaning rooms, taking baths, brushing teeth and washing hands...the list of childhood responsibilities seems endless at the time. We have all looked up toward adulthood with wide eyes, waiting for the day when we will get to drive the car, or get the big job, or more importantly, get to do whatever we want. The freedoms of life are what we seek. The ability to make choices that form our lives, day-to-day into what we want in the long run, our goals, hopes and dreams.

I have come to one conclusion about responsibility and freedom. Freedoms that are sought can only be achieved upon the taking on of great responsibilities. It is a delicate balancing act we perform between our choices, responsibilities, and in turn, our freedoms in life. Just something to think about.

Happy New Year everyone!