rainy day festivities

Not limited to painting with watercolors, and feasting on roasted butternut squash

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Lately feeling life wind down, all I can see is work with the occasional nap. Internet has been taxing my ability to remain patient. International excursions invade my daydreams, hope they become memories. Fingers drum lightly, the swaying melody isn't sure where it's headed...gathering my tentacles as if they were blackberries...

A couple tips for leading a satisfactory life.

1. Paint: Even if you suck like myself, it releases a great amount of tension, and I find it quite relaxing. It could even lead you to some startling realizations. Ones like, maybe I shouldn't listen to Ravi Shankar while painting.

2. Indulge in Dessert: I sort of do this more often than not. You probably noted this awhile back if you were reading past entries, and think I wear dentures. Here, I am partaking in a lemon bar. I use the excuse that I need my vitamin C.

3. Shoot photographs: I have been tinkering around with a Holga 120S, and I enjoy it. Granted, it does not afford me the ease of a digital due to not seeing each frame; but the lack of instant gratification strengthens my critical eye. Lord knows I don't want to pay fifteen dollars for 12 pictures of my feet.

4. Go to a museum that suits your fancy: I LOVE the Mesozoic era, and there's nothing I find more delight in than prehistoric reptiles. (except for number 2) The Natural History Museum can count on more of my business with this new Dinosaur hall.

5. Act completely ridiculous: I look just like a Joshua tree, don't I?

6. Make faces: Sort of a repeat, but really, does this ever get old? Especially when you do it at a fellow driver who's cussing at you. He most certainly isn't going to expect this.

Whoever thought that "build your own pinhole camera" was a great idea needs to be fed to zombies.

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happy labor day!

I know if you're a MCO, or work in broadcasting, you'll be reading this at work like I'll be doing.

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Possible Maurice replacement?

If you are one of the few that know me personally, or have just read a lot of my blog entries, then perhaps you remember that sweet lil' mooch that lived next door. He would use me for a warm napping area, and a meal, meow his thanks, then dash into the night. He left me feeling used, and a little manipulated, really. Maurice understood the agreement; he was the Part-time cat. He would come in for some meow mix, and in turn, I would get a warm sleeping kitty. It worked. Since then, we both moved away, and I have longed for that mildly symbiotic relationship.

Fast forward to last night: I'm walking into the court yard of my dwelling, and what do I hear? The haunting cries of hunger, and loneliness, that could only belong to a cat, or to someone that was mocking a cat. I frantically waved my arms at her to follow my footsteps. "C'mon, you're gonna wake up the whole building with that howl". She continued her defiant talk, as she sniffed at each door, hoping for a snack. Rolling my eyes, I coerced her to come with me, sweet talking her along the way. Little did she know, I was terribly unprepared. She came in, we snuggled, not before she ransacked my kitchen for a bite. I apologized profusely, and blamed my significant other for his inconsideration when he tossed out a can of cat food. She didn't care, and frankly was not paying the slightest bit of attention. Cosmo, who had commenced her daily annoyances, was now a point of interest.

After wrestling with the collar, I found out her name was Meko. It was very crucial that I discovered her real moniker before I graced her with my own. Especially since I found out that "Maurice" was indeed, a "Pucker". He later explained that after many attempts on his life, the renaming brought him much needed machismo. I would have felt just dreadful gifting him with a name like "pudding", or "skittles". There's a lot of guilt I don't have to concern myself with.

"Meeeeeeow'.

I guess Cosmo is only so entertaining. Meko, now situated at the door, was ready to roam. Apparently, she only enjoys the attainable; since chasing Cosmo and eating a hearty meal were out, so was she.

Another day at the office

Stinkbugs know how to do the twist.

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Currently reading...

Walking Dead

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Surprise, Surprise!

No, really!

I ACTUALLY did what I set out to do.

 Just promise me you won't go around thinking I'm all motivated and crap.

A life better lived

I can't really name it "resolutions", more of a to-do list.

Shocked? Of course you're not.

I have been finally partaking in some social activities without my heart exploding, and it has been rather blissful. Surging anxiety that usually has me down for the count, is now easily swatted away like a Jehovah's Witness.

Empowered? Yes.

It has empowered me to the point of making some positive, neat changes in my daily routine.

1. Visit the large body of salinated water at least once a week. I acknowledge that I have thrown out this promise before, but after today's romp; I'm feeling motivated. Despite the new skin tone on my back, I will spend some quality time.

2. Buy local, in season produce. My reasoning for this is due to one terrible tasting butternut squash. I procured one at Fresh and Easy a few months ago, sliced it, generously applied the sweet, salty cream bath, and sent the squash on it's way to deliciousness. In the long 45 minutes that followed, I dabbed my mouth, catching all the drool that was needed to digest that buttery, caramelized squash. When I finally was able to luxuriate in that first bite, the dream died. The melty, sweet, delectable texture that I have been craving was flat, tasteless, and dreadful. I tossed it, knowing not even those pigeons outside would touch it. Belch.

3. Ride the bike. Go to the Gym. Swim. Stop being a lazy Lucy and get off the couch fer cryin' out loud!

4. Become a stronger swimmer so I can enjoy the ocean more. I can dog paddle, and half-ass breast stroke. One time I was "swimming" a dolphin swam over and kicked me out of the ocean. Rude.

Next week this list could include eating chicken faces for dinner every Monday.

Skymall recognizes the other half.

Record shops in Denver ask politely.

Half assed Jurassic Park

Passing this park reinvigorates my desire to hoard amber drenched insects.

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A "Super 8" IMAX morning*

*may include rapid heart rate, nausea, and an inclination to clap.

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"...Movin' on up!" or "Hope and Change"?

Random LACMA

A break from the eye candy

Not sure if my pictures are pleasing or not, but I owe you a post including updates. If you enjoy my free-wheelin' photo taking, I promise; there will be more.

First item of note:
1. Attempting to plan a central European holiday in September. There has been talks of flying into Poland (Krakow), traveling around to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Croatia. This all has to go down in 2 weeks. Gonna try to make it happen...just call me (insert military leader here).

Second Item of note:
2. I have begun to work at a different facility, and oddly, a different shift! Second, actually. The whole "sleeping at night" thing is actually quite delightful. The old Laurenation is slinking back in, waking up with the sun, making coffee and eating pancakes with everybody else. Gosh, I even keep my blankets on my bed instead of my windows now. There is a lot to be said for being a conformist.

Third item of note:
3. Went to a lovely wedding this weekend, followed by a BBQ this afternoon. Enjoyed the chance to socialize with people I rarely see. Completely wonderful. Also, had the opportunity to stand around awkwardly while frantically thinking of conversation topics. Perhaps I have been out of the normal world for too long? Figuratively speaking, the "Shawshank Redemption" comes to mind when I think of 3rd shift. When you have been working an oddball schedule for 4 years, then you are thrown in with night sleepers, you just feel like you don't belong. I almost dashed into my boss's office begging to be switched back after I encountered a fully populated break room. Scantly familiar and unseen faces staring at me, wondering who I was, where I've been, "are you new?", ect...ugh.

Fourth item of note:
4. I am trying my absolute danged-est to write a children's book. I have been painting panels at a studio in Santa Monica, which are substituting as my illustrations/inspiration for now. I do this with the hope that I will not look back on this entry and laugh at myself while flipping through old posts. I have a tendency to talk about "really important" projects like they are almost done, then COMPLETELY procrastinate to the point that I have no interest in it anymore. I blame this on my father from whom I have inherited this very unique trait. I am most definitely his daughter in that regard.

Bubble gum alley photo shoot

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Good morning!!

Steel cut oatmeal with flax seeds and mango...with matcha green tea. Crumbs from shortbread cookie also seen...but heavily denied.

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Rorshach test time

Pancake? Or elephant, brontosaurus, Massachusetts...?

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Ladies and gentleman, please allow me to introduce ...

...my very first batch of home made seitan! Can't wait to try it!

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Make shift radiation

The office kitchen

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TGFVG

Veggie Grill is my new addiction. They serve all vegan, delicious fake meats in a not terribly expensive way. It's healthy, awesome, and unfortunately, only in southern CA.

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Something to listen and enjoy.

My before mentioned friend, Ben, is in a way excellent band in Denver, named, "The Skeleton Show".His band mates all live in a large home, and put on shows every month with Denver-based musicians. Please check them out if you are interested in rock 'n roll.

Thanks.

http://www.myspace.com/theskeletonshow

College veggies; rejoice!

A large part of my soul has been missing for at least 15 years. That was the last time I had chicken ramen. Its a delightful comfort food, or a good sick food, not a good "watchin' my blood pressure" food- though this ramen is lower on sodium, and, has no chicken in it. Its vegetarian, kosher, and it sells for around 70 cents or so, which should sell you on it. Although, if you're anything like my dad, it may be "too rich for my blood".

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Good morning, Los Angeles!

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Illinois?!

If anyone has suggestions for hobbies, I'm all ears.

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