heather.adelle

A Year's Accomplishments

2010-11-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Time does fly. I just realized that it has been about a year since I made that comprehensive list of things to change. Here's an update for those who might care. Here's that list and what has happened since:

• Listen to more music. Check.

• Clean and organize everything I didn't during school. Check. I moved into a new apartment and got rid of everything!

• Compile and finish my unfinished projects from last term (the constructivist in particular). I decided to paint and take a break from school for a year. Now I am thinking of keeping art as my hobby and being a paralegal.

• Fix my bike's flat (blew a tube before a notable ride the other day). Well, My bike got stripped outside my work. Some jerk had a hex wrench and an allen wrench and decided it would be cool to steal my front rim, and my seat/seat post. Awesome. Still trying to replace those at this point.

• start cooking/eating better food again (been living off taco bell, etc.). Well, I don't live off of taco bell anymore, I live off coffee and salads from new seasons... and whatever is in my fridge. I am not really in a cooking mood right now.

• Get a platform bed. Got one! My dear friend Sonja moved and gave me her Ikea frame. Miss you Sonj!

• Communicate better with family/people I care about. Things are good, I talk to everyone weekly. I'm open with my parents and we have resolved some things, I think they see me as more of an adult now. I am talking to my little sister too, she is getting married this December. And I have started talking to mum's fiance. Big step.

• Find my paints/brushes. Check. I started painting again two weeks ago. Nothing pretty, just the act of painting is doing me good at this point. We'll get to the fancy stuff later.

• Stop smoking the occasional american spirit. This was a lie. I was smoking half a pack a day. I'm down to about two a day and almost ready to just call it quits. I'm pretty proud. It is harder than I thought.

• Meet more friends in the 'hood. Done, I have met many great people; Liz, Kelsey, Andy, Dan, Virginia and loads of other people at my new work. Couldn't be happier. And a friend from Vancouver moved into the hood. Does that count???

• Wake up early and start my days right. Well, I work at a bar and I will always be a night owl. I'm doing better. 8 am is pretty good for me.

• Read more of what I want to read/obtain practical knowledge. I've read about 12 books in the past year-that's more than I had in years past. I devoured three in the past week! It is great to have the time to read for pleasure again.

• Convert to cash—it doesn't go as fast as card. I use my tips sparingly and don't overdraft. I use the card for bills and am better at managing my finances that way.

• Contain my feelings when upset by injustice towards females in a male dominant workplace. I forgot about this one. It was situational--I had a corporate boss who was a douche. I feel pretty respected most of the time in my workplace--even if it is a bar.

• Present a 'truer' representation of who I really am to those I meet. It gets "truer" every day... :D

• Go to a dentist for fun. It wasn't fun, but I went.

• Plant things in the garden. I moved so I had a couple potted plants--rosemary and basil. The basil has recently given up.

• Keep a child-like innocence about things in life, a curiosity perhaps. No--let's be honest. I will always be somewhat of a sarcastic know-it-all... :D

• Ride to work (there's a huge hill... it's daunting). I got a new job half a mile away. No hill. I rode my bike to work and walked before my bike got stripped.

• Practice my lettering. I'm taking a break from this.

• Wait for someone special to come along. I will wait for them to come along--but I realize that it's a two way street. If I don't show interest, who's to say anything would ever come of it? I like more reserved guys and that means that I have to be more outgoing sometimes.

• Be self disciplined in my art. I'm painting again after a year break. Give me a break.

• Rediscover/solidify my spirituality/belief system. I am a christian. I think. This is an ongoing thing--it will be my entire life probably. I will never give up searching for a better understanding of God.

• Get out of bed everyday—sometimes I just want to be so lazy! I get out of bed everyday. Sometimes its at noon...

• Plan a weekend with my little sister who is all grown up. Done!

• Do my best at everything I do. Done--I always do.

• Get my OLCC. Got it! And have been a bartender for about 6 months.

• Find a new job serving. Got one.

• Move on. Truthfully I think I have. I'm finally not hung up on anyone and I think I am free to do as I please. Thank goodness. It's been a while!

So there you have it--a good year's progress. Until I looked at this, I had no idea I had accomplished so much.

2010-05-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

Oh geez. I haven't made a post in almost a year. Some things have changed, some haven't. I found this great book today that I feel the need to share. I was at Powell's Bookstore looking for animal anatomy books to draw from when I found this treasure. Popular Natural History by Reverand J.G. Woods, fourth edition, 1885! Not only that, but this thing is in PERFECT condition and only cost 18.00... The illustrations inside are really amazing. I can't wait to read it and look at it more. Do be sure to view these at full size to appreciate their greatness, especially the snake.
Here's a peek:

Summer

2009-06-27T08:50:00.001-07:00

SUMMER—it's finally here. The question is, what am I doing with my time now? I've compiled a list of TODOs.

• listen to more music

• clean and organize everything I didn't during school

• compile and finish my unfinished projects from last term (the constructivist in particular)

• fix my bike's flat (blew a tube before a notable ride the other day)

• start cooking/eating better food again (been living off taco bell, etc.)

• get a platform bed

• communicate better with family/people I care about

• find my paints/brushes

• stop smoking the occasional american spirit

• meet more friends in the 'hood

• wake up early and start my days right

• read more of what I want to read/obtain practical knowledge

• convert to cash—it doesn't go as fast as card

• contain my feelings when upset by injustice towards females in a male dominant workplace

• present a 'truer' representation of who I really am to those I meet.

• go to a dentist for fun

• plant things in the garden

• keep a child-like innocence about things in life, a curiosity perhaps.

• ride to work (there's a huge hill... it's daunting)

• practice my lettering

• wait for someone special to come along.

• be self disciplined in my art

• rediscover/solidify my spirituality/belief system

• get out of bed everyday—sometimes I just want to be so lazy!

• plan a weekend with my little sister who is all grown up.

• do my best at everything I do

• get my OLCC

• find a new job serving.

• move on.

There is a sort of accountability that comes with stating such personal things in a list on a blog. I'm hoping that putting it out there will make me more committed to the completion of such a list of goals. We'll see.

Listening to 'pale blue eyes' by The Velvet Underground and 'don't kiss me goodbye' by Ultra Orange & Emmanuelle.

I had a reminiscent morning, I walked coffee cup and a spirit in hand to the park as the sun was coming up. I played on the merry-go-round and it reminded me so much of a film I watched last year about this time. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

My contacts weren't in yet so as the sun shining through all of the trees' leaves and I gently spun round and round, coffee in hand, it all came together in a beautiful blur of light and greens that reminded me so much of that film. Beautiful. I had to come home and listen to the soundtrack. Great start to my "Friday."

Portland Art Museum/Carlyle Benefit

2009-06-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a student project for my typography class featuring Carlyle restaurant and a donor benefit for Portland Art Museum. Here's what I came up with.

No More Luscious

2009-05-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm in Walla Walla this weekend, and it's been six months since I've been here. So much has changed. I realized when I left that it would never be the same people-wise, but I expected the rest of it to remain untouched. I was wrong. Some of my best memories here include great food with good friends at many of the this town's fine restaurants.

I drove around early this morning and was surprised that so many restaurants had closed. So many good places gone, they will be missed. Grapefields, Luscious by Nature and The Verve, just to name a few. I'm very disappointed about Luscious by Nature closing. Whether I was getting cocktails with friends, having Sunday brunch, or the occasional dinner out, I loved that place. The atmosphere was always so fresh and I enjoyed the outdoor seating. Everything was so light, airy and white. It will be missed. It is good to see a few familiar businesses around. I'm glad to see Colville Street Patisserie is still in business.

Living in Portland, I take for granted that everything I usually buy is from a local business or farms. I accidentally got Starbucks this morning and then realized that some local businesses here had closed. Somewhat ironic. For the rest of my stay here, I will be sure to buy local. It is so important to support businesses that you care about, and not the huge corporations. I usually don't rant about this stuff, but it is so relevant. Be careful where your money goes, especially now that there seems to be less of it to go around!

Ps. I got a new haircut. It is exciting!

Yay Asparagus!

2009-05-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

I went grocery shopping and ended up at Powells bookstore on Hawthorne. I was looking for a seasonal cookbook so that I can just eat well and cheap at the same time. I found an amazing book from the San Francisco Farmer's Market. It has a lot of really fresh recipes and they are very easy. I am really excited!

I made the asparagus salad. It consists of thinly sliced asparagus, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper. Delicious! I almost forgot, there is Parmesan/Romano cheese on top... :)

Helvetica Bold

2009-04-15T19:07:00.001-07:00

I'm taking typography. Again. I love it. I've been working on an expressive type project using only Helvetica Bold, 90 pt, and within an 8" square format. I was using 3" square pieces of tracing paper in early stages and my kitchen was littered with them. In a stack they look pretty sweet.

CinCity!

2009-04-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

Okay. That was pretty bad. Cincity=Cincinnati, just in case you didn't get it the first time. I went on a fast and fun packed trip during spring break to visit a good friend in Cincinnatti and had a great time. I had to recover for a few days after I got back but all in all, a great experience! :D Thank you D for such a great time!

A Gift

2009-01-05T00:38:00.000-08:00

A wise friend once gave me a book (The Scripture of the Golden Eternity by Jack Kerouac) that I had until now set aside. Feeling blue from winter weather and pathetic, self-pitying life circumstances, I picked it up and really read it for the first time. This friend of mine penned a note in the cover, it reads:

08-14-2006

Heather,
As part of the obligatory process of growing older/you're an adult now, I give to you the sage advice and wisdom of Jack Kerouac. This is your roadmap to the future. "Roaring dreams take place in a perfectly silent mind." Lie down, rest. I <3 you forever.

After reading this, I immediately felt more at peace. Life has been pretty eventful for me in the past few months and I'm just trying to settle down. I read part of the book today and felt more at peace than I have in ages. I think this is a good path.

Thanks Nan.

I've been listening to Band of Horses again, and really enjoying an array of older Modest Mouse. Broken Social Scene is coming to Portland... anyone want to go???

The Processional

2008-12-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

I started keeping a design process blog for a class and I am going to try to keep it updated with my latest thoughts and work. It isn't that amazing at this point, but hopefully it will be in the future. The following is from my thoughts for an essay that was written. I just thought it was relavent to today and everyone should know about what is going on in the world and how they can help.

Art Final Essay Thoughts:

In choosing to pursue a career that has so much to do with aesthetics, and the idea that things that are pleasing to the eye are expensive, it is hard to feel like you, as a deisgner, are doing something for the greater good. Making things in this world look beautiful and sell well, and executing brilliant advetising campaigns aren't always enough at the end of the day. I personally struggle with feeling a lack of purpose and connection to the greater population of the world. In lecture, Luke Bertus spoke of how we design for only a small percentage of the world's population. What about everyone else?

When I was still mulling this subject over and contemplating this paper in my head, I happened to watch a man (on tv) from a small rural village of China get a partial face transplant. As I watched his long journey from the mountains in China all the way to Beijing, I realized just how big of a world it is out there, how fortunate I am that I don't have to herd cattle in a remote forest and worry about a bear slashing half of my face off. I realized how convenient my life is here, I have nothing to be worrying about.

My thoughts then turned to everyone else in the world and how I could help them. Being a poor (in American standards) student attempting to become a designer, how can I make a difference? Sometimes I want to drop everything, school, work, friends and family and go to some remote corner of the Earth and just help people. Every time I verbalize these thoughts to my friends or family, they recoil and say I should finish school first. Sure, school will give me a degree and supposedly a job... but is that what is needed in this life? I feel I should just worry about the things in life that matter, like the basic needs and lives of others. Then again, making money and having a home is nice I guess.

When I was looking at different projects, I started reading more about what a studio called Work Worth Doing, is in fact, doing. I found their idea of "Shipping Greenland's water to Africa" quite enlightening. The pictures showed a well designed approach to communicating their ideas. The large installation of a physical representation of greenland's receding ice and melting run-off was really interesting to look at and gave viewers a figure to identify with. It also just looked really cool.

The graphic representations were simple and clear, easy to understand. The project was presented in step-by-step form, steps 1 through 9. The problems of both Greenland and Africa were presented and then a solution was suggested that could perhaps help both. All of this was presented in 2004 in Toronto, Denmark, and Venice as part of the 'Too Perfect' project of the Danish Architecture Centre of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The project is presented with the thought in mind that the world's purest water is exported and sold all over to those with the money to buy it. Since when did water become a luxury? It is not fair that only those with money be able to purchase a resource that is necessary for human survival. So many die every day from lack of clean water and stupid consumers are buying all of this bottled water. The American people should just drink our tap water, it is a luxury. If Americans hate how their tap water tastes, they should consider purchasing a water filter instead of spending so much money on bottled water. I'm not even going to start talking about all of the waste that is created as a result of the bottling and shipping of this luxury; bottled water.

I want to become more involved in public awareness, because that is where graphic designers can contribute most towards global causes. We are taught how to reach people, how our brains react to images, colors, and shapes. We are sitting on a goldmine of sorts. Here we sit, atop a mound of knowledge, perfectly able to help so many causes around us, and yet we still sit. We worry about money, getting recognition, doing what we want, when we could be doing so much to help. My question is how do I get involved, being so busy as a student. I need to just take the time to find a cause and do what little I can in my free time to support it. Each of us were given a talent, and if we don't use it, I have a feeling we will eventually lose it. Whether you believe in God(s), or yourself, or in just nothing, this principal is true. Use it or lose it.

If you want more information about this project, or other projects that Work Worth Doing is working on, visit their webpage.

An Update

2008-12-11T13:05:00.000-08:00

Hi guys! Long time no post...

Lots of things have changed. I moved, I lived in a house with six other people in far out East Portland. I met two people in the house that I love to death, one of which I just moved with to an apartment a mile from downtown on the east side. We just moved in last night. I will spare you the details of the departure from our previous dissatisfactory living arrangement and just tell you that even though we've been in our new place for 72 hours, we are much much happier here.

My new roommate's name is Danielle, she is from Illinois and she moved to Portland last June. She is really fun and sweet, she loves movies and just hanging out. She tolerates and usually enjoys my taste in music, which is important as many of you may know.

I just finished my first quarter at Portland State University (which will from now on be refferred to as PSU). It was a hard quarter, trying to adjust to a new school, all my homework, and working full time. Now that we are settled in a better place, this next quarter should be really great. I am hopefull. Not much else in the way of news. Oh, my computer died, so that is why I never post anymore. That will hopefully be changing soon.

Eight Bags

2008-08-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Out for coffee, feeling alone. Skinny Love comes on, loud and clear. Feeling even more alone than before. I start to hum along, like I do to every other song because I don't know all the words. I hear someone else singing. I look up and see the man I always see when I am here. He wears the same grey Hanes sweatshirt and dark grey jogging pants every time I see him. Irony. He is reading the "How We Live" section in the Oregonian. He carries exactly eight paper shopping bags covered with plastic shopping bags from Fred Meyer, four in each hand. Everything he owns is in those eight bags. I see him every day. We exchange polite smiles and he acknowledges my existence over his taped glasses, one lens replaced with a brown cardboard cutout. He knows all the words to all the songs. I wonder about him. Who he is behind his mid-size beard and how he knows all the words to one of my favourite songs. He doesn't seem like the typical Bon Iver loving kind. Before I got the chance to post this or further analyze this gentleman, my friend Amy and her brother came and met up with me. As we left I glanced at the man and said a polite goodbye with my eyes and a slight smile.

We were going to Portland City Fest—a christian event held on the waterfront to convert all of Portland—to hear Kutless and Chris Tomlin play. After weaving through the masses to find a place where we could stand comfortably and see the stage, Luis Palau started preaching. When I am at the conversion festivals, I always feel so confused about my faith. I am not like those around me, I've heard the message of Christ. I know what I believe, but still I never raise my hands or pray the prayers that the man on stage tells me to pray. I feel I have a rebellious nature. I will pray on my own. I don't need to raise my hands in a crowd to prove my allegiance to Christ. I like small gatherings. I hate big church. I feel such an aversion to large gatherings. Why is this?

I was at an adventist church recently, and we were studying somewhere in the Gospels where the latter rain or the holy spirit will come down on the masses or something like that. One person said that they didn't feel like they could share Christ with others, that they wouldn't until the "latter rain" came down. Others agreed. We sat in a small circle just nodding and talking about it like we were so removed and we couldn't do anything until the holy sprit rained. I felt defiant. Annoyed. Why have we become so stagnant? Who needs to sit around and wait for some outpouring? You can ask. You can go serve. You don't need to preach. Live your life in a way that tells others about Christ. I am feeling very done with the Adventist Church, or any church for that matter. Church makes people sit back and not strive anymore. Laziness.

Every so often I find that I am not where I need to be spiritually. I will never be. There is no such thing as once saved, always saved. It is a continual struggle in my daily life. I feel like it is personal, and shouldn't be dealt with in crowds of thousands at a Praise Fest or anything. I want to join some church, but at the same time I think that I will lose my edge, become lazy, turn into my parents when it comes to being spiritual. I don't want the cookie cutter relationship with my creator. I long for something more. I feel like there is more and I'm just not seeking hard enough. Anyone with me?

Music:
Anything Radiohead, especially depressing songs, heartbreak.
Newer Cold War Kids, MGMT. I <3 MGMT!!!! Seriously.
Also, I was skeptical about Vampire Weekend but I am coming around.
Really enjoying Yeasayer as well.
And Britney Spears... (slightly embarrassed)

Things Took a Turn

2008-08-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

Life has been good. Tonight, things took a turn for the worse. I lost a dear friend of mine. My macbook's LCD screen has had a tragic accident. I wont point fingers, but I am ultimately to blame. By placing it on the floor to avoid direct sunlight, I left it wide open for damage from the tracks under my passenger seat. Normally, nobody rides with me in my car and I didn't think anything of it.

I will never forget this night. I'm afraid that life as I know it is over. I'm in mourning. I'll be wearing black for the next week. In fact, I'm wearing black as we speak. I feel like I've lost a part of myself.

The Pearl

2008-07-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

I've successfully made my move to the Portland metro area. I live between Hillsboro and Beaverton, over a hill in the country. It is peaceful, gorgeous, trees and birds, and we have a pet cat. I love him a lot. His name is Boots but I call him Bootsie. He is a bobcat but he is grey and has a little white on his chest. He sleeps on top of the washer and dryer on one of Grandpa's (Alexa's grandfather) old sweaters. Every time I go through the washroom to the garage to go out, I always stop and pet him. He is really friendly and likes to be brushed with his cat brush. I have to be careful or he will get cat hair all over me.

Grandma Gladys died about a year ago and I had to go through my room and take some of her stuff down to the basement. She had been an Avon lady since the late 60's and had tons of cool costume jewelry. I cleaned out drawers full of random necklaces, bracelets, and really cool rings. There were cabinets full of old perfume, bath oils, skin care and men's cologne. The packaging was all so interesting to look at and so stylish. It is funny how packaging changes through the years.

I've spent the last couple of weeks looking for a job and exploring Portland. I'm happy to say I have a decent sense of direction and where everything is at now, and I don't get lost anymore. Lex has class at PSU in the morning so I have been riding the Max downtown with her. While she is in class, I go explore downtown. I usually end up in the Pearl District. It is one of my favourite places to be. Everything here is to my liking. I just come down here and find a coffee shop and internet. There are so many cool boutiques and restaurants. I really like going to this place called Sippen Krantz. It is a coffee bar and it is really nicely designed. The coffee is also great, and the people are friendly. My kind of place. There is cool lighting, as you can see below... and my hair is kind of wild... I've discovered that no one really minds that here. I am really loving it here.

Besides exploring, I have been looking for work. I applied at a million different places, but I ended up getting a job working at Noah's Bagels yesterday. I'm going to be a little shift manager, so I get paid more. After my training I will get even more, so that is nice. Also I get to wear jeans to work every day, I get free espresso, bagels, and I will never work past 5:30 pm. I'm really glad, because there are a lot of cool things that go on in Portland at night. I wouldn't want to get stuck working and have to miss out on a social life, or more importantly, amazing concerts. It is a blessing. I was really down the day before yesterday, I didn't think I would get a job. I prayed about it, I really wanted a couple of the other jobs I had applied for but it had been a week and a half and I hadn't heard anything. I applied at the last minute that night for Noah's, and then I got a call at 8 am about it. I figured I'd go. In the car driving there I was thinking to myself and God, I need a job, and if this is the right one for me right now, impress me in that direction. If not, and there is something else He has planned for me now, help me see that this job isn't for me. Well, turns out it is for me, so I took it. I will probably keep it for a year while I go to school and until I find a good starting place more in my line of work. I'm really thankful though.

I'm Packing

2008-06-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a while... I've been busy. I'm just packing up my life here in Walla Walla, and getting ready to move out and clean my house tomorrow. I hate packing... but I love the things I find and the memories that go with them.

White vintage clutch - I lost it a couple weeks ago going out one night in the heat of dead week. I found it in my room in a green plastic bag with half a cookie and a copy of Dwell, sitting under my Ikea table. A friend and I went out to grab coffee and read magazines at Starbucks. They closed, and then I had to go to the bathroom. So I went to Coffee Perk next door, thinking that I would just sneak in and use their bathroom. No such luck. The bathroom was closed and I got guilted into buying a cookie, which I threw in a bag, with my wallet and Dwell, and forgot about. I've been looking for my wallet for like 2 weeks now. I'm really glad I found it.

Bubble Wrap – I was emptying out a Crate and Barrel box that my friends' wedding gift came in when I came across some bubble wrap. I tossed it in the trash, but then decided to keep it for packing. I remembered how excited I was at their wedding and how fun it was to shop for their present.

A Birthday Card – In the miscellaneous drawer (Everyone, no matter how neat, has to have one of these. It contains just the stuff that you can't bring yourself to toss because it has a shred of sentimental value... or you just don't have a category for it) I came across a card from all of my friends for my birthday last year. That birthday was by far the best I have ever had. My friends threw me a surprise garden party for my birthday. Everyone was wearing white except for me, and we played bocce ball and croquet (which Jessica and I cheated at when no one was looking). That was the only party I have ever really had, aside from the one with the neighbor kids when I was 4. It meant a lot to me, and the card has little notes from everyone in it. It is one card I will probably keep for a long time. I am so thankful for the friendships I have had while being here.

Starbucks gift card – While clearing my desk to disassemble it, I came across a gift card. I tossed it in the trash but then I couldn't remember if I had emptied it or not so I went to Starbucks with Phil. It actually had $20, untouched on it. Pleasant surprise.

I went to graduation this morning and both of my roommates graduated. Our house was full of family, and our house isn't that big to start with... When we got back from graduation, the front yard had about twenty people milling around and two grills were fired up. Lunch was great and it was good to see everyone that was visiting for the weekend. Good times.

The Replacements

2008-06-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

I am going insane. It is like there isn't enough time in a 24 hour day. I could finish everything I needed to if I could stay up all night. I wish I didn't need to sleep. I'm just trying to get through the next week, and then all of this insanity will be over. Then I will just be looking for a job. A new kind of insanity.

I haven't been up to much except for homework lately. I spent a lot of time in the library, doing extensive research on the cold war, and Stalin's imperialistic planning for Europe, and how those plans changed towards the end of the WWII. Lots of reading. I found an amazing book full of primary sources, it is like 500 pages long, and is comprised of letters, selections from speeches, records, and eye-witness accounts of what went on behind the iron curtain between 1945 and 1965. So interesting to get inside these people's heads and try to wrap my mind around what they were doing/planning. People are crazy!

My roommate Sophie got engaged a couple days ago to her boyfriend (now fiancé) Tyler. Congrats to them! He gave her a rock on a ring, and she gave him an x-box 360 that she had been hiding since the end of last summer. Funny what people do. And congrats to everyone that I love that is graduating... (that would be almost everyone that I still know at Walla Walla). So sad. I cleaned out my drawer in the maclab, and my drawer in the FAC with all my art projects. It's setting in. I'm really leaving this place. I'm so scared I'm going to forget something important that I've carelessly lent to someone or left around campus. People are starting to come look at my house to see if they want to move into my room and take my place. Replacements. It is a strange feeling.

As far as music, I am still really enjoying the Watson Twins new album, Fire Songs. Also, French Kicks' song 'abandon'. Good stuff.

A Privilege

2008-05-27T00:22:00.000-07:00

New Watson Twins album is coming in June! I really love them. When they sing with Jenny lewis, it is good, but I like them by themselves the best. I found out where I'm going to be living this summer... Hillsboro! I am excited. Now I just need to find a job. There are a ton of really cool internships that I wish I could do. Too bad they don't pay actual money!

I've been reading a lot about communism during WWII and the aftermath in Eastern Germany. Quite interesting stuff, I had no idea what went on behind the scenes in the making of the German Democratic Republic (actually communist) and how the introduction of communism into Germany was being planned in the Soviet Union even before WWII was lost by the Nazis. I find communism quite interesting, not that I'm interested in becoming a communist, but it just seems like the history of communism has been so hush-hush here in the United States, for fear of it taking hold here. If Americans had been able to see what communism was really like in Soviet Russia, they probably wouldn't have thought of it so highly after WWII.

I'm very curious what went on behind the "iron curtain" and in Soviet Russia. Some things really shocked me. I didn't really realize what Stalin did, his influences on the common people, and all of the propaganda romanticizing communism. His policies caused a famine in Ukraine, that nowadays is referred to as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. Over 20 countries recognize it as a genocide, but I've never heard of this until now. Stalin killed more people than the Nazis did in the holocaust. It seems like everyone keeps quiet on this topic. Oh history, so interesting.

Side note: I'm so thankful I live in America. We like to complain a lot about our country, but it is a really great country to live in. When looking at history, I am once again reminded of what a privilege it is to live here. A lot of people made sacrifices so we could live the way we do today.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

2008-05-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

I love this film. I picked it up at the store, but then set it down to look at magazines. I'm one of those people who looks for different films, ones I've never heard of, hoping to find a gem. I get some pretty strange films at times, but once in a while I get lucky. For some reason I remembered this film's title and looked up the trailer when I got home. It looked like it could be good, so I went back and got it right then. I sat down all alone and watched it.

Perfectly depressing and beautiful at the same time. It's not a film that I'd watch in a group. The cinematography was pretty powerful. I've never seen anything quite like it. Reading a review later, I found that the director's father died about a week before filming started. He said, "What I tried to show was what my father was seeing when he was dying, not what I was seeing when I was looking at him." I also really enjoyed the soundtrack.

I get so tired of happy movies. Why does everybody want a happy movie? It's not true to life. We want to live in a fantasy world. I guess that isn't a bad thing—I just prefer realism. If you think there wont be a happy ending, and then there just happens to be one, it is even that much sweeter. That's life.

New favorite song: Ultra Orange & Emmanuelle, 'Don't Kiss Me Goodbye'

Print

2008-05-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

We've come a long way in the past ten years. Heck, I didn't even know about Print mag, or that there was such a thing as a career in graphic design. It's nice to have a look back at things I never knew about. Here's a look at a few ancient Print magazines that I discovered in my empty basement office.

November/December 1996
Topics included The Legacy of Cranbrook's former design directors, Skateboard Art, Lawrence of Arabia: Designer and Printer, and Print's 33rd Annual Student Cover Design. Apparently distressed type was cutting edge.

November/December 1997
Film posters by Moscow's Stenberg brothers (1923-1933), Flesh and Bloods: Body art from the Texas Penitentiary, and the disturbing topic of ugly Online Newspapers graced the pages of this issue. The cover was another student cover design winner.

May/June 1998
Wow, exactly 10 years ago this was on newsstands everywhere... A whole cover with a rambling stream of consciousness. Somewhat entertaining, some of it is applicable for today, some not so much. The line, "first I'll blow up the logo huge to fit across the whole page, and put a drop shadow on it" makes me feel a little uncomfortable. Welcome to the 90s. And inside, The Californication of American (guessing that is RHCP related), The Harlem Renaissance Artists, Kids Magazines, Arabic Typography, and last but not least, Gill Sans.

January/February 1999
This issue is all about innovation... hence the cover. Apparently there are endless illustrating possibilities when toast and a toaster are involved. Who knew? I love the flexible illustration—I like my toast bendy... not really. It just looks really funny. In this issue, Freshman Class: Twenty established designers reflect on their early work with hardly a wince, Religious Advertising, The New Visual Artist Review, and The X-Phile: Using industrial strength x-ray technology to view the hidden inner lives of everyday objects.

Seven Eleven

2008-05-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

After working feverishly on putting the mt. ash together tonight with a couple friends, we decided to go get slurpee's from the 7-11 in eastgate. While we had been working, we had some great conversation and Lafe said something to the effect that these are the times that we will look back on, because nothing stays the same. I didn't think much of it, but as we drove the familiar route down Rose street, singing at the top of our lungs and pretty much having a wild dance party in the car, I thought to myself, these are good times.

We got to 7-11 and ran inside, but the slurpee machines were closed for the night. Determined to purchase an icy cold, artificially flavored, blended beverage, I persevered and drove on to Isaacs to the Shell station. They had blue and red. Rach and I got half red, half blue in our cups. We later decided that red is the best. Case closed. As we were purchasing the drinks, somehow weddings came up and the lady who was helping us asked if any of us were getting married. We all said no way. Not for a long while. She laughed and said that we were smart.

Driving home in the dark, I kept thinking about how I always focus on the future. I plan it out, and while planning is valuable, I deprive myself of the pleasure of living in the moment. I'm not sure where life will take me, or the people in this world that I love the most. Tonight I was just happy to be one of the girls—not a care in the world.

Here's some songs I've liked lately in no particular order:
Nicole Atkins, 'The Way It Is'
The Little Penguins, 'Say It Once'
Republic Tigers, 'Buildings & Mountains'
Architecture in Helsinki, 'Heart it Races'
Air, 'Mer du Japon' (Teenagers Remix)
French Kicks, 'Abandon'

Les Couges

2008-04-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Yay Tegan and Sara were amazing! This is them... believe it or not. They had this huge picture of tree stumps behind them which they explained later as being symbolic with the fact that they were playing in a theatre and the seats get in the way. When Sara was introcuing the band members, she had really great stories about them. She said that Tegan was "just some whore that I grew up with and we decided to tell everyone that we are sisters so our records would sell better." When she introduced the bassist, she said that he had put gum in her hair as a child, and that she was friends with his gf, who in turn threatened him that if he did it again, she'd beat him up. The drummer was the guy who lived in their apartment before they moved in. Sara said she kept on getting his mail so they would meet at the coffee shop on the corner for the exchange. This went on for so long that one day, she was like "what do you even do?" He said, "I'm a drummer..." to which Sara replied, "hey, we need a drummer." Sara said the bassist wasn't that important, that you could pick up bassists anywhere and that he was from Salem, that they had just hired him that night. At this point I began to question the validity of the introductions. Then she said that she had lied to us, and she told us what they who everyone really was... but she lied about how she met all of them again. It was entertaining, they were quite funny on stage and treated us to some great music. There were a lot of lesbians at the show... who knew!? A couple were sitting in front of us. They were like 50, one of my friends described them as "trailer trash les cougars." Hence forth, I will always remember them as "les couges"... pretty sure that isn't french for "lesbian cougars" but oh well. What are you going to do?

Overall, quite a fun night. I went with a couple of my friends and we went out for some food afterwards and had a fun night. Good times. It was really great to get away from CP for the weekend. Now I'm back, I organized my room, unpacked (the worst part about going anywhere and coming back), and now I am attending to several mountains of home work. Good times... Classic.

My New BFF

2008-04-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

This little guy is pretty tricky. I recently encountered him in my step class. Pretty fun to play with, but I woke up this morning and almost couldn't sit up! I still think it is a possibility that we could become BFF.

Yesterday I was really hoping that my new coat would come in the mail, and that it would rain so that I could wear it before summer weather set it. It rained... buy my coat didn't show up until mid afternoon. At which point, I put it on and walked outside where it promptly started raining. Exactly what I wanted.

I skipped class to do math this morning. I am liking it more and more. I like the rules, the structure, and the fact that there is usually an exact answer—unlike life where there are almost no absolutes.

My friend joined a women's soccer league and convinced me to join as well. I'm pretty excited. I haven't played much since mid high school though. I definitely need practice and to do some conditioning. I like this sport—it allows me to buy yet another pair of shoes for my collection.

Consciousness

2008-04-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

It's a glorious day here. Warm, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky. It's a shame I slept in as late as i did. I figured it's been a while since I've written and organized my thoughts. The following is just a few things that have been on my mind for one reason or another and it's time to get them out of my head. I should really get out and enjoy the great weather, but it's so great to be home. The past month has been very taxing and I haven't really been able to just stay at home and be left alone with nothing more than my wandering thoughts, a book, and a good cup of french press. I often forget what a luxury it is to be completely alone with one's self.

This quarter I'm taking a painting class and I'm really excited. I thought about painting in my garage, but it was too dark and scary. The chances of meeting numerous small animals—namely spiders—didn't really appeal to me. After scouting around the house, I found a space that is not really being used to it's full potential. I went on a mad cleaning/putting-stuff-back-where-it-belongs spree and might have ensued the wrath of my fellow house-mates. A stern lecture from one of them soon followed as I was eating lunch and watching Sex in the City. It put a slight dent in my somewhat perfect day, but oh well. These things happen.

I forged my way through an army of empty canning jars and quilting supplies and was victorious in clearing a countertop. I found a small space in the cupboard in which to store my art supplies so they wouldn't be out, cluttering up the pristine countertop. Everything was perfect last night when I went to bed. I awoke to my cell ringing "Music is my boyfriend... music is my girlfriend.." Somewhat annoying to me nowdays, I need a new ringtone. It was a friend wondering if we were still on for Awakening. We weren't, considering the fact that I was still half asleep and would refuse anything pre-coffee. I slept more. Woke up and made french press. While walking around my house, reveling in the extreme cleanliness that I had earlier produced, I decided that it would be a perfect time to make an attempt at painting.

Attempt was the correct word. I definitely need to brush up. No pun intended. This is bad. I'm turning into my father who has a one-pun-per-minute ratio in his conversations, casual or professional. Slightly Embarrassing. Note to self—no more puns. I love my dad. I can call him when I want to talk about music or anything. Or if I just want to forget reality. Calling my dad is like a little bit of a mind trip at times. He is somewhat bipolar, but he is brilliant. He is always up to something new. Last month it was skiing and re-building a bum cello he purchased online. Now he is buying bad violins, taking them apart, and experimenting on improving their acoustics. He makes all his tools that he uses for his projects. He improvises and builds presses and moulds. I think he could build anything. As a child, I can remember us sitting at a restaurant waiting for our "just desserts" and he was sketching some machine on napkins and explaining all the facts and figures to me. Socially, the man is not so refined in common sense, but wow. He is so smart in math, music, engineering, and he can paint. I'm just now realizing how great he is. I called him yesterday to tell him that I'm going to see Radiohead (WOO! No need to tell you how excited I am!) and he was excited for me. I told him I had an extra ticket and he said, "I'll be on the next plane..." Silly dad. I can always tell him about that stuff. He follows bands and I am always surprised when he drops a name that I wouldn't expect.

It's tough when parents get a divorce and you never see the other side of your family. Then you turn 18 and you find out a lot of things. I'm just glad that I got to know my dad's mom before she died. I really loved her. She even looks liked like me. It's like her looks/personality skipped a generation and I inherited them. I remember when we were shopping and we went to Starbucks. She had never been there and I bought her a frappucino. She loved it and we went back a couple days later because she really wanted another. Grandpa was remodeling the shower so instead of washing our hair that day, we went to the salon and got our hair washed. She had long snow white hair that she always wore in a bun on the top of her head. Kind of like a ballet teacher would. I wonder if I'll look like her even when I am old. Kind of strange to think about that. Most of the time I have the mindset that I'll never get old. Then I realize that in seven years and four months, I will be 30. Whoa. I guess it's not that bad.

I went shopping at my favorite grocery store Super 1 at 1 a.m. a couple mornings ago. I bought strange things. I wandered the health foods section and found recycled paper towels, biodegradable dishwashing detergent, and other random organic stuff. I've been thinking about the environment a little more lately. I hate it when people have those big totes that say "green is gorgeous" and then they jump in their hummer and go to Walmart for some underpriced shirt that some child in malaysia died while making. Buying a bag isn't going to make you green. Recycling isn't going to do much good if people don't purchase recycled goods. I realized this while browsing through that section of the store. There are recycled kitchen garbage bags, sandwich bags, saran wrap, and all manner of goods. The price was maybe 10¢ more than the un-recycled alternatives.

As a poor college student, it is hard to be all green and environmentally responsible. I was thinking about the things that I could do without spending too much money. Walking more. Buying green clothing is slightly out of the question at this point. I'm not willing to spend $75 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I am willing to spend an extra 10¢ on recycled products. Buying items with the least packaging, using less shopping bags or just bringing my own... I don't want to be a bag lady though. Haha! I can purchase fair trade coffee. I can make more stuff from scratch. Buying more fruit/veggies/less processed foods cuts down on packaging and also you aren't contributing to the pollution that is created from the refinement of the product. I also recently read that if you store foods in glass containers in the fridge, it makes your fridge not have to work as hard to keep things cold as when you use plastic containers. In the end I still have questions. What is the benefit of all of this? Just one person making small changes isn't going to make that big of a difference if the whole of America makes no changes. I guess I can just sleep better at night. I just think that most people would be happier if they simplified their lives—but not turn into one of the yuppie environmentalists that are out walking the streets, searching for other's approval of what they look like they look like they are doing for the environment.

I ended up getting these flowers from my back yard and tried to paint them. I thought the pink ones would be easiest and most attractive, but I was surprised at how cool the tiny twisted petals of the yellow flowers tuned out. I was also surprised that turnips aren't as bad tasting as everyone makes them out to be. Random fact. I bought them as a cooking experiment and they were tasty. I forgot what they were when I was buying them and the check out guy did too. It was pretty funny at the time.

Lately I've been listening to the latest Cat Power album called Jukebox. It is a bit more upbeat that her other album, The Greatest. Enjoyable. I like 'New York', 'metal heart' and 'Lord, help the poor and needy'. This album almost reminds me of a female version of the Black Keys and Feist mixed with a slightly more meaningful message and lyrics. I've definitely overplayed 'The Greatest' and it was time for a new set of songs.

I Fell Asleep Writing This

2008-03-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

Finals. Been going to bed at 2 am, getting up at 5 am to study... all day... So tired. I want sleep. L and I bought Tegan and Sara tickets and we're really doing it... we're 8 rows back! :D Can't wait for break.

Wrote a paper... dealt with Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" and how repression leads to the opposite extreme in the coming generations. Lots of interesting themes. Very interesting book to read and ponder. Made me think. It was nice for a change.

Am falling in love with the black keys.

Just a Little Update

2008-03-01T00:22:00.000-08:00

Things that happened this week...

skipped class
slept late
cooked every day
laundered clothing... and money
spent my tax return
laughed a lot
realized i hate my job
chopped off all my hair
met new people
downloaded the black keys... again.
took two tests without studying
found the best coffee i've ever had
stayed up late in the art dept. making prints
found out cold war kids are playing at sasquatch
read The Death of Ivan Ilych
almost bought a beautiful yellow coat
was not passive
watched The Darjeeling Limited

Whew. What a week.

My Stats

2008-02-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Most recently, I have been leaning towards art nouveau, post victorian/art deco feel. Not overly extravagant, more simplistic with slight elements. Conservative, clean, classic, and somewhat femme.

Type - It may sound strange, but I don't have one favorite that I'm stuck on. I have slight crushes on a few though... fling and Perla—type with ball terminals, really. I enjoy serifs, especially type with long, thin, elegant lines. For numbering, I have been drawn to Filosofia (for more normal looking numbers), and Falstaff for more of a bold, art deco feel. I am as guilty of overusing certain sans serifs as the next guy, but have started to mix them in with more stylistic type to create a more learned feel. I will agree with Ben that Kursivschrift is quite attractive. I am not afraid of large type, but it must be contrasted with much smaller type. I love contrast in type, bold/light, etc.

Color – I enjoy very bright colors in moderation, mixed in with more subtle hues, less saturated. I will always be fascinated with black and white, and I tend to like just one color thrown in with them, provided it isn't a bright, primary color like red (ie. black, white, very light teal). Other recent favorites include the following: a) Maroon, mustard seed yellow, and black on dark cream. b) Light blue, and brown or black on white paper. c) Varying shades of teal and green, paired with browns. d) light blue and yellow on white. And finally, e) Maroon, teal, and tan on white. Just to name a few...

Composition – Minimal over complex, clean, classic, straight to the point. I like to pay attention to how a specific composition leads the viewer through it. I detest static points, places where the viewer's mind can get trapped, thus I enjoy negative space. I prefer open composition, some element needs to lead the viewer into the piece. When design is stripped down so much, each element's importance becomes higher, and must communicate even better the message of the design. I've never been extremely extravagant, but take pleasure in the beauty of simplicity. Less is so much more.

Themes – Re-discovering my voice as a designer. I work in a basement making stuff for very conservative people in the age range of 50–100. Adventists live forever unfortunately. This has really matured my style from crazy grunge, but I need to get back to something more modern in-between the two, and more my own. My theme = rediscovery.

Latest Influences – Martha Stewart. Embarrassing, but true. I'm in enamored with one of her more recent publications... Blueprint. If you see it, you will know. Other publications I enjoy include dwell, metropolis, nylon (for fun), and I've come to like men's interest magazines, so clean-cut. Buildings and the outdoors never cease to inspire me. I really like the type of work that Seattle based Turnstyle does. I am really more inspired by things I see in real life on a daily basis, or more industrial sort of items that make me push my thinking and let me make my own interpretations in my work later, i.e.. a lace fence, or an unruly stack of magazines on my bookshelf making interesting negative shapes. Influences sit in my brain and come out in unexpected forms later. I love flickr and tend to look at the following when I have time. Alki1's Flickr, russian typography, the list could go on forever... and music, my constant muse.

I tag... Dallas and Alan.

For People Who Love Bad News

2008-01-26T00:50:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note... one of my very favorite Portland bands has a new record coming out. The Helio Sequence is pretty amazing. I've seen them not once, not twice, but three times live and they have never disappointed me. Their new album titled Keep Your Eyes Ahead comes out January 29. Be sure to have a listen. These two guys always amaze me. The drummer toured with Modest Mouse after the release of their album Good News For People Who Love Bad News. My Helio Sequence favorites include 'let it fall apart' (my most favorite favorite), 'hallelujah', 'lately', and 'the harmonic song'.

It's been a crazy week. Two oral presentations in one class, a paper, a math test... I blinked and the week had passed me by. It is a relief to have a bit of a break over the weekend. Going out for chinese at The Golden Horse with friends, and then visiting the Colville St. Patisserie afterwards made for a great end to a hard week. Nico and I went thrift store shopping and to a boutique which we barely got out of without going broke. It's been decided that seva boutique is a dangerous place for either of us when we have money, whether it be for spending or bills... very cute clothes though.

I've been making some prints in my printmaking class and I might post some of the better ones if I ever get the time to do so. Happy Sabbath!

Urnes Portal

2008-01-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

Whoa. Two weeks flew by and I didn't even notice. School has started once again, and the struggle to balance my personal life, school, and work has begun yet once more. I am spending most of my free time alone studying, buried under pre-calc and world literature books, trying to understand yet another ancient foreign culture... most of the time it's greek to me. Literally. I am shocked at times how modern some works sound. There are these ancient egyptian poems that sound just like something one of my friends would say to me. I wish I knew who wrote the poems. They are so old that no one knows. I usually hate poetry, but this I liked. It wasn't cliché and sappy like most things I am forced to endure.

Of all my classes, I would have to say that I am enjoying Printmaking with Martha Mason, and History of World Art with Tom Emmerson. I really like learning about the origins of art and seeing different styles repeat themselves throughout the ages with different artists' interpretations. Right now we are looking at the period in Post-Roman Europe, the beginning of medieval times. There are a lot of animals used in very intricate carvings, the lettering in the Book of Kells from Ireland, everything is very ornate and seem to have lots long twisting vines and whorls. My favourite piece right now is part of a church door, called a portal. It is from the stave church in Urnes, Norway. I see it's influence in pieces from the victorian/art deco periods. I love the dog that is biting something that looks like a snake or a vine. I haven't decided. I like the joints of the dog, how they are curled lines. This is a stamp with the Urnes stave church portal. I just love the dog's eyes too. So big!

I think I may have come up with the perfect 5-year plan. I'm pretty psyched! Hopefully it will work out, seeing as I make plans all the time and they don't pan out.

Lately I have been listening to a lot of Nelly Furtado. Embarassing, but true. To make up for it, I've been listening to a lot of Royksopp, Arcade Fire, Seabear, and Electralane. Song I'm currently in love with is 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile. (thanks t!)

A Single Hand Writing Several Stories

2008-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

"We seem to find comfort in categories and peace in placement. The world moves quickly around us. There are so many variables, and unanswered questions. Who? What? When? And more importantly why? We feel like we constantly need to pick a side and stick with it... whether it be politically, socially, or artistically. Despite the fact that our outlooks and philosophies are ever changing with each passing day. I have struggled with this often through the years, taking one facet of myself—both personally and creatively—and holding onto it so tightly, until there was nothing but ash in my hand. Who would i be without a definite description? A tangible tag line? The weight of one question can be enough to make a back break."

-taken from 'a single hand' by Her Space Holiday

I'm tired of limiting myself, ignore all my other creative options. I keep putting myself in a box, when all my ideas don't just fit into one category. I'm tired of forcing creativity in on category, and repressing any ideas that come up in other areas. Creativity is fleeting, even though some would disagree that there is a definite science to it. Unless I change something soon, I fear I will be left with nothing.

I'm tired of limitations, and limiting myself because of what I think others think that i can or can't do. Just a thought, inspired by an amazing song/monologue. Her Space Holiday is amazing. Go to their Myspace profile to hear how the above selection ends. Thought provoking. I am intrigued.

Approaching 2008

2007-12-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-12-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-05T22:19:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-10-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-09-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-28T14:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-08-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-01T03:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-07-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-05-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-25T00:24:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-03T00:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-15T00:25:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-14T00:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-24T00:26:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

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!

Fish, Indie Parties, and the Lack of Keys

2006-11-28T00:28:00.000-08:00

1:47 a.m. Monday night. I locked my keys in my car at the YMCA. Not cool. Luckily I had friends there who took me back to school. It was slightly snowing. My room was warm and inviting. There were two new animals in my room (not that we have any animals yet) but there they were. The smallest goldfish I have ever seen. Dyan and Andrew picked them out at Walmart. We elected to name them Mulatto (one has black on it's fins), and tweed, slightly bigger than Mulatto. They are cute. We decided that it was time to clean off our "nov 3 is gonna be NIIIICE" slogan, and now there is a special christmas message for all to see. You'll have to stroll towards the girls dorm from college ave. I'm pretty sure you'll spot it. Enjoi & Goodnight.

Oh, I recently discovered that I dont want to be a republican or a democrat. I'm not sure where this leaves me. I am exploring my Indie options as far as parties go. Who needs a party anyways?

Then there is the whole school of thought (which I happen to believe in as well) that no party other than the republicans or the democrats will ever be elected, so I should just pick one and vote for them so that my vote will actually matter in the whole scheme of things. I'm not sure what I believe anymore. It is on my mind though. I'm tired of the whole stodgy republican approach, but democrats are too ADD for me. They mean well, but can never get organized enough to do anything. Well, I have a while to contemplate this still... until fall of 2007, right? I sure hope so.

Goodnight for reals.

an utter catastrophe

2006-11-19T00:29:00.000-08:00

You may or may not have been aware of my vehicle situation. For those caught unaware, I will elaborate on my means of transportation.

In the summer of 2004, a black '96 Toyota Tercel came into my life via means of a large settlement check I received. We have been inseperable ever since. We've covered a lot of ground, driven to TN and back, spent summers carwashing in the shade (with a black car, it's too hot to wash in the sun), running over the occaisonal tumbleweed (still under my car btw.) and hitting the occaisonal cyclist. We've even had near death experiences such as driving in Portland on black ice.

Lately, my car has been winding down. Don't get me wrong, she still runs great. This past summer, I managed to rip a hole in my seat, and back under a tree, snapping off my antenna. Don't ask me how, I don't know. I purchased nice leather seat covers to cover the hole and protect it from further damage that might occur over the next few years that I drive my car. One evening, the girls and I were heading out for an exciting saturday night event. We were all dressed up. One girl was so excited that she accidentally snapped off my passenger door handle. The door can still be opened, but it requires a bit of skill. Today, months later, I snapped off my driver's side door handle. At least both sides of my car are now identical.

I need to find 2 door handles to replace those that are now broken. There seems to be a plethora of Tercels on the WWC campus. Maybe I'll just snag a couple of their door handles...or I could just switch cars with the other girl who owns the same car as me... now there's a thought!

A Shameless Review

2006-11-11T00:30:00.000-08:00

A few of you may be aware of how excited I was that Borat came out in Walla Walla today. The excitement was soon replaced with sharp, excruciating waves of nausea upon viewing the hotel scene. If you have seen the film, you will know what I am talking about. I almost dont even want to look at men in the same way any more. Especially those of eastern european descent. I couldn't watch for a whole 10 minutes. the male nudity was so bad.

Coming from one who evangelized this film, this may seem a harsh rebuke. However, all male nudity aside, the film was rediculasly crass, but funny. Racial slurrs were interspersed amongst many an awkward social situation, and the theater was full of laughter. I had to catch myself a few times when laughing about a chocolate face/vanilla face joke. Other memorable parts were the extended table tennis scenes, the description of Borat's deseased wife, and frightened children running from an ice cream truck with a bear in it. The thing that takes the cake is in a scene close to the end, where Borat bags his bride-to-be, Pamela Anderson, at one of her book signings, and passes it off as being a Khazak tradition. Rediculous...

If you are okay with extreme male nudity, go ahead and watch this movie, but be warned. If you are faint at heart, but enjoy racial slurrs, awkward situations, and the sexist repression of women, also proceed with caution. If you have no moral objections to anything and absolutely no class whatsoever, by all means, be my guest in viewing this controvercial and seemingly plotless reality movie with no shame or regret.

If you have questions or comments or object completely... I'd love to hear about it.

Borat Bomb Threat

2006-10-27T00:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, my roommate Dyan and I really like Borat. For those of you who dont know who/what Borat is, look him up on Youtube. We named our plants Borat, Natalia, and Tisché (if you read my last blog, you'd already know that).

This amazing movie is set to come out in theatres Nov. the 3rd. We were so excited that a few days ago, we wrote "Nov. 3. It's going to be NIIICE!" on our window in large white letters with window chalk. We were just announcing to the world that Borat was coming out soon.

I came back to my room tonight and Dyan informed me that we had to either add more of an explaination to our window, such as "movie fun" or we could clean the writing off our window. Apparently, girls had been worried, confused, stupid and asked the dean's and RA's what was going on on Nov. the 3rd. There were rumors of bomb threats even.
Our window was even brought up in tonite's RA meeting. Insane.

Easy people, you just need to be a little more aware of pop culture. It's not a bomb. Suggested ammendments to the window included: Borat Movie, Nov. 3, It's gonna be nice" or my personal favourite, "Bitch Please! It's a Movie!"

Earth Friendly

2006-10-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know already, my room is green and brown and tan. It's a relaxing change from what my room was last school year. I'll be honest. I'm not a big purple fan. (apologies to my x... Roommate that is..) This year, things are better. My room makes me feel good. I recently made a rather extensive pillow/throw purchase to re-vamp my bed into a gorgeous day bed/lounge area. It's so hot.

I have mentioned in a previous blog that I would like to try my thumbs out on gardening. I took a big step tonite at 10:30. Yes, I hit up walmart and bought a rather handsome plant that turned out to be three small plants. Other items purchased include premium potting soil, and another pot.

I re-planted them on the picknic tables in front of the College Store. If you find to you dismay that there is a pile of dirt where you'd like to study, I'm sorry. It's dirt. It happens. Ah the smell of soil.. dusty and light. A great experience. Hopefully Tisché, Natalia and Borat survive. (dyan and I have named them already!!!) Stay tuned for photos.

Backstabber

2006-10-08T00:32:00.000-07:00

Yes. I am a loser. I lost my I.D. card already. I know it is ONLY the second week of school. Some how I managed it. Oh well. I'll at least have a better picture, whereas my last one was me running with my mouth open past the camera on my way to buy books for my first class...I'd like to take the time to point out that it was not an attractive portrait of who I am at all. (Please see the MASK for a more attractive portrayal).

Losing my I.D. card means that I can't get into my room at all... so last night when I came home (aka dorm) at 2:30 a.m. I realized that I couldnt get in my room. I called front desk thinking that one of the deans (who was just there when I walked in) would come up and unlock my door.

Apparently not. I guess it was necessary to call my poor sleeping R.A. to unlock my door instead of taking the elevator one floor up. Shame. Oh well, I guess that's what you get for showing up the rest of us with your goody-tooshoed-ness and getting to be an R.A. I guess I'm either too much of a free spirit, or the deans just think I'm a badass. Whatever. I thought it would have been a decent way to earn some money out of my already sleep deprived nights.

One dean here in particular reminds me of ... a snake? She (ok, i'm getting real specific here with the gender, see if you can guess who...) can be so nice to your face, and then just turns around and stabs you in the back... kind of like what I'm doing to her right now... Ok... bad blog topic.

I apologize for any deans who may or may not have read this but are just offended in general with who I am. I'm sorry and goodmorning.

Rain and Sparks

2006-09-23T00:33:00.000-07:00

Sitting here in my frigid dorm room facing college ave, I find myself missing my summer roommate. Kaskade's 'It's You, It's Me' blairs from a trendy looking iMac G5. Cars pass by. It's getting dark and a little drizzle is falling. Coldplay's 'Sparks' comes on and takes me away. I could daydream all day in my room. My view is gorgeous, perfectly chosen. The rain and smooth, mellow sounds make me a little lonely. I realize I havent seen my family in ages. I am surrounded by a large number of friends even though school hasnt started, but I still miss my family.

Seven years ago, I would never have imagined myself where I am now. I hated my family, the world, and never suspected that I'd have ended up here, at WWC. From that to this. It's funny how things turn out... and how others dont. Going to Southern for a year. How did I even end up there? I haven't a clue.

My room is missing plants. I'm thinking about getting some dirt from a flowerbed outside, putting it in my empty little russian flowerpot. As far as buying a plant, I am not going to buy one. There's plenty already here in the dorm. I'll steal half a plant that's ready to be repotted, and put it in my room. I hope I have a green thumb still. I was quite the little gardener as a child.

I have early memories of playing in a garden while we still lived in Germany. We had pumpkin plants and pumpkin pie eventually. My dad is kind of a hippie. He has a green thumb and he used to find vacant lots around town and start his own gardens there. I used to think it was a bad idea and get embarassed. We had no gardening space back then, and it was a great idea. I kind of want to do that here in Walla Walla if I end up staying here next summer. Living in the dorm, I have no gardening space and it seems like a relaxing hobby. Who knows. I can make College Place a greener place!

We'll see if it actually happens.

ciao.

Hot Show

2006-09-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

Yes. I saw what i can only believe was a street hooker. Actually she was probably an "entertainer." She was standing on the corner of 39th and Hawthorne in black lingeree, heels and fishnets, all while talking to a few people. Awesome "I know I'm in portland when... " moment.

Anyways, that's not the "hot show" I was speaking of. This last Saturday, my long-time side-kick Natalie Joy Crosby turned the epic age of 21. To celebrate, Kacey and I drove to Portland and crashed at Nan's dad's house. (Amazing house 2 blocks off hawthorne, I'm planning to buy it in like 10 years... it has a sunroom, hardwood floors...awesome front porch, i'm in love! Actually, it probably wont happen...) Saturday we slept in and... shame of all shames... we didnt attend church. Instead we went to fred meyers to get waffles + Nutella... we had no food to speak of, so it was justified. I'm sure of it. Positively sure.

The amazing show was at the Crystal Ballroom. This last weekend, musicfest Nw was going down in Portland. There were great shows everywhere. Smoosh (two 14 year old looking girls with amazing skills played. They had great baselines, and good beats. The girl on the drums was pretty much the runner up to my hero of the night. Next, a band that I didnt catch the name of. they were good, reminiscent of coldplay, a little darker, but similiar vox.
Then, this blonde guy took the stage with nothing but a guitar and a boom box. I thought he was a complete joke, until i recognized half of what he was playing. Turns out, he is the front man of Spoon. Amazing band. look 'em up if you havent already. He now lives in Portland, and is loving it.

Ok. The most amazing band of the evening: the helio sequence.
I cant even begin to describe their greatness. natalie gave me their cd, and i thought they were okay, but now i have a new appreciation for them. The drummer was amazing. Such enthusiasm, feeling, and turns out he's modest mouse's drummmer too, Benjamin Weikel. Amazing guy. The vocals were shouted, but the amazing space-vibe wailings of ... gosh, I dont now what it came from, but it was amazing... were spine chillingly beautiful. The lead singer/guitarist, brandon summers seemed contained. Calm almost, as he swaggered around the stage, spouting off vox and amazing riffs. In short, I loved it and I cant describe it. For more, go to www.myspace.com/theheliosequence.
That is all.

Speak Up

2006-08-17T00:34:00.000-07:00

People don't communicate. I used to think that it was only guys that had communication issues. Typical stereotype. I have met some men very good at communicating what they wanted. The typical person doesn't have the courage to just speak up for themselves. I began to wonder, why is it that people don't just speak up?

After some recent 'field research' I've determined why no one will speak up. Nobody knows what they really want in life, what their passion is. They arent passionate about their lives. They dont realize that, ultimately, they make the decision where their life goes. Figuring out what you're passionate about is a step in the right direction.

Emo Anorexia

2006-08-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

After contemplating how to spend our Saturday night, Natalie, Kacey and I decided upon some local "Battle of the Bands" being hosted by that new coffee/art house VERVE. Sounded cool, but as can be expected, it turned out to be a bunch of emo teens, mostly ranging in age from 13 (shocking!) to at the most, 17.

After standing around on the sidelines, debating whether or not to leave and do something better with my time, we spotted a familiar face. Yes, it was the attractive/super-cool guy who waited on my friends and I at our usual Friday ladies lunch. We (meaning I) decided to stay. There were super cool kids there, but it wasn't as much fun, because we couldn't say they were hot. Come on, they weren't even legal. (Not that they need be [we don't do those sort of things]) (too many parentheses).

Perusing all of the teens that were out, we noticed a trend in the guys clothing. Very tight black jeans, reminiscent of 'My Chemical Romance'. Natalie and I decided that we need to be able to wear pants such as these at least once. To be emo posers for just one day. To do so, both of us need to become anorexic. Thus, the birth of the Emo-Anorex Diet.

The plan is to eat nothing, and then after we become deathly/skeletally thin, we will wear our emo pants for one day. Soon after, we will eat only fruits and veggies, hopefully to regain our health/become a bit more normal. (I'd like to point out that we are not actually going to do this, it was just a scheme, the product of not enough to do on a Saturday night). Hint-hint!!!

Ice Ice?

2006-07-30T00:36:00.000-07:00

People (namely those in their early twenties) don't know how to appreciate life. I've come to realize growing up in the ghetto to appreciate what I have. Why not a dentist or a doctor? Why not make $100,000 dollars a year? I want to love my life, love what I do, and not feel trapped in a career that I don't enjoy. How does appreciation and loving your job tie together? Knowing how to appreciate the small things in life makes you a happier person in general. Move on, forget your troubled past, but never forget where you've been and are coming from. This also makes you appreciate life more.

What ever happened to Vanilla Ice?

dad in a hurry+paperwork=adelle

2006-07-28T00:36:00.000-07:00

So you know when you say and do things you don't mean? Well, I hate that. Trying to explain yourself and apologize for things you thought you meant, but didn't really because you were not all there is not my idea of fun. It is a bit awkward. I'm not sure if I should just be bluntly honest, or if I should laugh everything off. What if I really did mean some things and I just don't realize it because they are buried in my subconscious? What if I didn't? What if none of it is what I think it is? I need to not worry you about my life or my sanity. I'm sorry. If you think this is about you, it's probably not. It's just the general statement of my life. Confusion is my middle name. No, that's a lie. Adelle is. It was supposed to be Adele, but my dad was in such a hurry to leave when filling out paperwork that he miss-spelled it. Top that.

We got a blow-up pool!

2006-07-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

It's summer and it's soooooooo hot here in Walla Walla. My roommate and I just got back from tri-cities last night and we had a blast. We were at lake Wallula in the afternoon and then we drove to Kennewick to go mini golfing. we decided to eat, seeing as i hadnt eaten all day, and happened upon taco del mar. I ate these beach tacos. They were out of control! super good, but they fell apart really easy and my hands got really salsa-ee... moving on, after that eating fiasco (it was good, just messy), we realized we were too late to go minigolfing, so we went to target instead. Several of my friends are getting married, so i went shopping on their bridal registry lists. Fun stuff!

My roomate, on the other hand had other plans. She and her boyfriend happened upon a blow up pool, which we blew up last night and put on our patio. We had a midnight swim with grape soda in martini glasses, and then covered it with a tarp.... we have a blow up pool!!!! how cool is that!!?!?!?

I hit a CYCLIST with my car...

2006-05-19T00:38:00.000-07:00

Yea, so i was driving along peacefully, enjoyin' the beautiful weather/scenery around whitman college yesterday with my long time pal Natalie Crosby... Just cruisin at around 20mph when these two guys riding bikes came perpendicularly towards where I was driving... one guy turned onto the sidewalk, the other straight on into the street... he saw me and i saw him, i tried to stop/turn away, and he did to, but not quick enough. he didnt turn quite sharp enough to miss me, so instead, he collided, bike and all into the front right hood/tire area, flew up over my hood, onto the roof, and rolled off the side of my car...

now, you can imagine the thoughts that went through my head, along with the choice bits of the american language that escaped my lips... thoughts of vehicular homicide and images of broken legs, arms, and crushed skulls flashed through my mind. i'll never be able to drive again, i thought. my insurance will pretty much scrape the sky... i'll hve to sell my car.. and if indeed i did commit vehicular hommicide, i'll go to jail!!!

well, turns out he was alive, awake, got up, and was just scratched. he was more worried about my car than his own well being. I, on the other hand, was more concerned with his safety, and whether he really was okay. I stayed and chatted with him for a little bit about the experience, and i told him i didnt mind the scratch he'd put on my car, as long as he was okay.

Coming from someone who has never even hit an animal, hitting a human was a nerve shattering experience, and i dont recommend trying it anytime soon if you can help it.
I am a lot more careful of my surroundings now, and i'm sure he is much more careful before he decides to ride across streets without looking both ways. :)

I Wish

2006-03-10T00:38:00.000-08:00

I wish that I had the time and ability to write fantastic blogs all the time, but I cant. That is too bad because I would bestow my wisdom on all of you in heaps. I really like Imogen Heap. I really like online radio, but I'm not really into the whole "commercial" thing. Alas, I will say no more, other than if you actually wanted to know more about me, you would ask. I dont bite. :)